Lackawanna College's Transition: From NJCAA to NCAA Division II

Introduction

Lackawanna College, a private, non-profit institution, is set to embark on a transformative journey, transitioning from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to NCAA Division II. This move signals a new era for the college's athletic programs and reflects its commitment to expanding opportunities for students. The college received an invitation from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) to become the league's 18th member. This transition will allow Lackawanna to expand from a two-year athletics program to a four-year structure, starting with the 2026-27 school year.

A Transformative Moment

Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill A. Murray described this transition as a "transformative moment" for the institution. The college is committed to finding innovative ways to broaden its offerings in both academics and athletics so that students of all backgrounds can pursue their dreams. This 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.

Erik Larson, the college athletic director, also emphasized that "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."

Joining the PSAC

Lackawanna College has received an invitation to become a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), an NCAA Division II conference. The PSAC is an NCAA Division II Conference comprised of 17 campuses in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Opponents will include Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Shippensburg and West Chester. Steve Murray, Commissioner of PSAC, stated, "We are excited to offer Lackawanna College membership to the PSAC and to support them on their path toward membership in the NCAA Division II. It’s a new era in collegiate athletics, and this is a new paradigm for the PSAC as we welcome Lackawanna to the Conference."

The Falcons will play in the conference starting in fall 2026. The first season will not be counted in the standings, with full membership expected in the next two or three years, said Steve Murray, conference commissioner.

Expanding Athletic Programs

As part of the transition, Lackawanna will start golf, tennis and cross country teams first, with other sports expected in future seasons. The school also plans to add athletic facilities and evaluate residential housing needs. The move will allow Lackawanna to expand from a two-year athletics program to a four-year structure, starting with the 2026-27 school year.

Academic Growth and Offerings

For those wondering how a school offering mainly two-year degrees can make this transition, Lackawanna already offers 8 bachelor's degree programs to go along with 25 associate degree programs, as well as 30 Continuing Education and professional certificates. Founded in 1894, Lackawanna College is a private, non-profit institution offering 8 bachelor's degree programs and 31 associate degree programs, along with more than 40 Continuing Education and professional certificates. Along with its main Scranton campus, the college offers six other locations throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Originally a junior college, Lackawanna dropped “junior” from its name in 2001. The private school began offering bachelor’s degrees in 2017.

NCAA Division II Regulations

Lackawanna College is transitioning to compete under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and will operate in accordance with all NCAA Division II guidelines and regulations. As part of this transition, athletic programs will begin competing within NCAA-affiliated conferences upon completion of the reclassification process.

Under NCAA Division II regulations, institutions are permitted to offer athletic scholarships (athletically related financial aid) up to the NCAA established equivalency limits for each sport. Scholarship amounts may vary by program, and awards may include a combination of athletic aid and other forms of institutional or federal financial assistance, as permitted by NCAA rules. Coaches are responsible for recruiting prospective student-athletes and recommending athletic scholarship awards based on their evaluation of each recruit’s athletic abilities, academic standing, and overall fit within the program. Once a student-athlete is selected to receive athletic aid, the Lackawanna College Athletic Department will issue the appropriate NCAA Athletic Aid Agreements or institutional aid agreement.

A New Paradigm for the PSAC

Steve Murray, Commissioner of PSAC, emphasized that "It's a new era in collegiate athletics, and this is a new paradigm for the PSAC as we welcome Lackawanna to the Conference." Lackawanna College and the PSAC have begun the membership process and are jointly preparing for seamless integration.

Football Program's Advancement

Lackawanna College will be the third institution nationally to transition from the NJCAA directly to NCAA Division II and the first with a football program to do so, according to the conference. Dixie State (Now Utah Tech) went from the junior college ranks to NCAA DII back in 2006.

Head football Coach Mark Duda, with 213 career victories, is the active wins leader in the NJCAA. Over his 31 seasons as head coach, he’s produced more than 450 NCAA Division I scholarship recipients.

“They get an opportunity to have a true conference to play in,” Duda explained. “That's really going to help them, from a consistency standpoint, and certainly the enjoyment of it would be more.”

Now players will have four or five years of athletic eligibility, instead of just two years with the junior college association. “I cannot wait to coach at that level and to be able to stay with our kids longer,” Duda said.‘To develop the friendship and a relationship with them is the most important thing, and now we get to develop that for four or five years. It is a godsend for us.

Growth of Lackawanna College

As of fall 2024, Lackawanna had a record 1,952 undergraduate students. As many schools have struggled with declining enrollment in recent years, Lackawanna has seen growth. The college announced last year it will merge with Peirce College in Philadelphia and retain the Lackawanna College name. 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.

Falcon Performance Center

In the late summer, work and construction began inside the Lackawanna College Student Union first floor meeting area, beginning the process of transforming the large space into the new and spacious Falcon Performance Center, complete with a wall of free weights, several racks, and a large turfed area in the middle for speed workouts, conditioning, and more.

tags: #Lackawanna #College #Division #II #transition #to