Howard University has accepted an invitation from the Northeast Conference’s Council of Presidents and will join the NCAA Division I league as part of a six-sport associate member partnership.

The Bison will begin NEC competition during the 2020-21 season in men’s and women’s swimming. In 2021-22, Howard will join the conference in men’s and women’s soccer, women’s lacrosse and women’s golf.

During the upcoming season, Howard men’s soccer and women’s lacrosse will play in the Sun Belt and Atlantic Sun conferences, respectively, while women’s soccer and women’s golf will compete independently.

Founded in 1867, Howard is a private, historically black university (HBCU) based in Washington, D.C.

“Howard University is pleased to become an associate member of the Northeast Conference. This move will significantly reduce the geographical footprint that our athletes must travel for games, which will have a positive impact on our travel expenses,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “I’d like to thank our former conference homes for these particular sports, the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Sun Belt, ASUN and the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association, for their previous support of our programs.”