Lackawanna College to become conference’s 18th member of PSAC
Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges
Billy Splain | June 26, 2025
via psacsports.org
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced that it has extended an invitation to Lackawanna College to become the conference’s 18th member institution during a press conference held on campus at the Lackawanna Student Union on Thursday morning. Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill A. Murray and Director of Athletics Erik Larson were joined by PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray to unveil a banner marking the milestone for Lackawanna’s athletics program and reinforcing the continued growth of one of the nation’s premier Division II athletic conferences. The invitation signals Lackawanna’s intent to transition from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II in the coming years.
“This is a transformative moment for Lackawanna College,” said Lackawanna President Dr. Jill A. Murray. “We are committed to finding innovative ways to broaden our offerings in both academics and athletics so that students of all backgrounds can pursue their dreams. Our invitation to join the PSAC is a direct result of this mission and validates the investments we’ve made in academic quality, athletic infrastructure, and student-athlete success. We are proud to join a conference known for its excellence both on the field and in the classroom.”
The move to NCAA Division II will allow Lackawanna to grow its two-year athletics program into a four-year program, giving future student-athletes greater opportunities to complete their bachelor’s degrees while competing at an elite level. Lackawanna College will be the third institution nationally to transition from the NJCAA directly to NCAA Division II and the first to do so with a football program.
With this move, Lock Haven will move into the West division. The divisions look like this now:
| East | West |
| Kutztown | California (Pa.) |
| E. Stroudsburg | Slippery Rock |
| Bloomsburg | IUP |
| West Chester | Gannon |
| Shepherd | Lock Haven |
| Lackawanna | Edinboro |
| Shippensburg | Clarion |
| Millersville | Seton Hill |
“Our invitation to join the PSAC is a key milestone in the history of our athletic department and could not have been realized without the efforts of our coaches, students, and leadership who believed in our strategic vision and our commitment to excellence,” said Erik Larson, Director of Athletics at Lackawanna College. “This move allows us to elevate our athletics programs to new heights. Our student-athletes will now compete at the highest level of NCAA Division II athletics with increased exposure, scholarship opportunities, and academic support. We are honored to be welcomed into the conference.”
The PSAC, founded in 1951, is nationally recognized for its athletic competitiveness, academic integrity, and commitment to student-athlete development. With a strong presence across Pennsylvania and beyond, the PSAC includes some of the most well-regarded public and private institutions in the region.
“We are excited to offer Lackawanna College membership to the PSAC and to support them on their path toward membership in NCAA Division II,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “It is a new era in collegiate athletics, and this is a new paradigm for the PSAC as we welcome Lackawanna to the Conference. President Jill Murray’s vision for Lackawanna College is remarkable, and we believe that the movement to a four-year athletics program and Division II supports that vision and the future of the institution. The PSAC and its member institutions are committed to making this a successful transition for the Falcons’ athletics program.”
Lackawanna College and the PSAC have begun the membership process and are jointly preparing for seamless integration.
For more information, visit lackawanna.edu.
ABOUT LACKAWANNA COLLEGE
Founded in 1894, Lackawanna College is a private, non-profit institution offering 8 bachelor’s degree programs and 25 associate degree programs, along with more than 30 Continuing Education and professional certificates. Along with its main Scranton campus, the college offers six other locations throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. In 2021, Lackawanna College was recognized as one of Fast Company’s world’s most innovative companies and also earned recognition as one the Fastest Growing Colleges by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2023, Lackawanna College was awarded the classification of one the Great Colleges to Work For by Modern Think.
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