Red Flash moving from NCAA Division I to Division III
Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges
Billy Splain | March 25, 2025
Saint Francis University announced a decision by its Board of Trustees that directs the president and the leadership team to pursue a reclassification of its NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program to Division III. The shift in athletics offerings for men’s and women’s athletic competition would occur concurrent with the 2026-2027 academic year and fall 2026 athletic competition, with the Red Flash participating in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference marking this as the last season for the football team to participate in D1.
Last year the Red Flash got a win against an FBS team for the first time ever. Next year the football team will compete against the like of Thiel, Washington and Jefferson, Geneva, Waynesburg, Westminster, Grove City and more. Was this a move based off of recent events such as NIL and the Portal?
“This was not an easy nor a quick decision for the Board of Trustees,” stated Chairman and the Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, T.O.R., Ph.D. “The governance associated with intercollegiate athletics has always been complicated and is only growing in complexity based on realities like the transfer portal, pay-for-play, and other shifts that move athletics away from love of the game. For that reason, as a Board, we aim to best provide resources and support to our student-athletes in this changing environment that aligns with our mission, Catholic institution, and our community’s expectations.”
The Board of Trustees participated in an extensive discussion and review of their options for the future of the university’s athletics program and determined that this decision helps Saint Francis to achieve the institution’s mission and strategic plan.
Lehman continued, “All of the university’s offerings that are a core part of the Saint Francis identity and student experience are reviewed by the Board on an ongoing basis, including intercollegiate athletics. Based on the changes in athletics nationally, it would be a disservice to our student-athletes and athletic department staff not to review and assess how we can best provide the resources necessary for them to be competitive.”
President and the Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D., added, “The Board and I have been concerned about the student-athlete experience for many years. The geography of our conference is huge. Our students travel either to Chicago or to Boston or to points in between. That’s a lot of time not spent on campus, developing friendships or in the classroom. This change allows our students to be present on campus and lets their friends attend more of their home and away games. This decision is about creating and maintaining community and allowing our student-athletes to thrive in the classroom and their chosen sport.”
Van Tassell stressed, “I want to be clear—we are very proud of our Division I history and success, and our student-athletes. We know this transition may be stressful. We will do everything possible to support our student-athletes, their families, our coaches, and our staff and do right by you.”
Saint Francis has established a website with additional information, including a chart that outlines what this decision means for current student-athletes, coaches, and athletic department staff. In addition, anticipated questions are answered online and other questions can be submitted to athletics@francis.edu.
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