Helena Frye
The University of Hartford's men's basketball team, the Hartford Hawks, is currently in the process of transitioning from Division I to Division III. The University's Board voted to drop its athletic department to Division III in May 2021, and the NCAA approved the transition in March 2022. The Hawks will compete in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) beginning in the 2023-24 academic year and will become a full Division III member on September 1, 2025. The decision to transition to Division III was made to better align with the University's mission and goals of creating exceptional academic, co-curricular, and wellness experiences for all students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | III (in transition) |
| Conference | Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) |
| Teams | 17 |
| Sports | Tennis, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey |
| Location | West Hartford, Connecticut |
| Nickname | Hawks |
| Colors | Scarlet and White |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Hartford's men's basketball team is currently in Division I
- The team will transition to Division III in 2025
- The University's Board voted to drop its athletic department to Division III in 2021
- The Hawks will become a full member of the CCC in 2025
- The University currently fields 17 NCAA sports
The University of Hartford's men's basketball team is currently in Division I
The University of Hartford's athletics program is in the final stages of a transition from Division I to Division III. In May 2021, the University's Board voted to drop its athletic department to Division III, believing that it better aligns with the University's mission and goals of creating exceptional academic, co-curricular, and wellness experiences for all students. The NCAA approved the transition in March 2022, and the University will officially become a full Division III member on September 1, 2025.
During this transition period, the University of Hartford remains in Division I and will continue to honor existing athletic scholarships for returning students. The University of Hartford currently fields 17 NCAA sports, including basketball, and plans to add tennis and field hockey in 2025.
The University of Hartford's men's basketball team, known as the Hawks, is a vital part of the University's community. The Hawks take pride in their four core values: excellence, toughness, integrity, and unity. The team's mascot, Howie the Hawk, is well-known among the University community and fans for his on-court antics during basketball games.
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The team will transition to Division III in 2025
The University of Hartford's men's basketball team is currently in Division I. However, the team will transition to Division III in 2025, joining the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). This decision by the university is driven by their belief in the Division III philosophy, which prioritizes creating an exceptional academic, co-curricular, and wellness experience for all students while still offering a high-level athletics program.
The transition process is complex and multi-year, with the university's Board of Regents voting for this change in May 2021. The NCAA approved the transition in March 2022, and the University of Hartford announced its acceptance into the CCC for the 2023-24 academic year.
During this transition period, the University of Hartford will continue to honor existing athletic scholarships for returning students, including those for student-athletes on the men's basketball team. The University may also pursue additional competition opportunities to ensure a smooth transition to the new division.
The move to Division III is a strategic decision by the University's Board, aiming to provide an exceptional campus experience for all students. Division III athletics emphasizes the integration of academic and sport opportunities, ensuring that student-athletes are prioritized as members of the campus community first and athletes second. This aligns with the University of Hartford's values and goals.
By 2025, the men's basketball team will compete in Division III, joining the University's other athletic teams in offering a well-rounded and academically focused experience for student-athletes. This transition demonstrates the University's commitment to intentional investments in its students, creating a dynamic and inclusive community.
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The University's Board voted to drop its athletic department to Division III in 2021
The University of Hartford's Board of Regents voted to transition the university's athletic program from Division I to Division III on May 6, 2021. The decision was driven by a desire to strengthen the academic, co-curricular, and wellness experiences for all students and to set the university up for long-term success.
The move, which is expected to result in significant cost savings for the university, will see Hartford join the ranks of Division III in the 2025-26 academic year. The university's athletic teams, known as the Hartford Hawks, will continue to compete across various sports, including basketball.
The men's basketball team, in particular, has experienced notable achievements, such as qualifying for the Division I NCAA tournament before the decision to move divisions. The Hawks' rich history in basketball dates back to the late 1940s when the school was known as Hillyer College, and spectators climbed to the "Hawk's Nest" to cheer on their team.
The transition to Division III sparked mixed emotions and backlash from athletes, alumni, and critics. Some argued that remaining in Division I would have benefited the school in terms of attention, fundraising, and alumni engagement. However, the Board of Regents was confident that the shift was in the best long-term interests of the university and all its students, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded student experience beyond athletics.
The university submitted its formal request to join Division III in January 2022, marking the beginning of the transition process. As part of this process, Hartford gradually phased out athletic scholarships for incoming students and transitioned student-athletes off athletic aid. By 2025, the university completed its move to Division III, joining the Conference of New England as a full member.
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The Hawks will become a full member of the CCC in 2025
The University of Hartford's athletic teams, known as the Hawks, are currently in the final stages of transitioning from Division I to Division III. The NCAA approved this transition in March 2022, and the University of Hartford will join the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) in the 2023-24 academic year.
The Hawks will become a full member of the CCC on 1 September 2025. The CCC is an NCAA Division III athletics conference with 10 member institutions throughout the New England region. The University's decision to transition to Division III stems from its belief in the DIII philosophy, which prioritises the overall quality of students' educational experiences alongside athletics.
The University of Hartford currently fields 17 NCAA sports, including men's and women's basketball, with plans to add tennis and field hockey in 2025. The Hawks men's basketball team will therefore be competing in Division III from the 2023-24 academic year, and will be a full member of the CCC from 2025.
The University's athletics program values excellence, toughness, integrity, and unity, with student-athletes excelling in competition and the classroom. The transition to Division III will allow the University to continue prioritising these values, with a focus on creating exceptional academic, co-curricular, and wellness experiences for all students.
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The University currently fields 17 NCAA sports
The University of Hartford currently fields 17 NCAA sports teams, known as the Hartford Hawks. The university sponsors teams in eight men's and ten women's NCAA-sanctioned sports.
On May 6, 2021, the University of Hartford Board of Regents voted to transition its athletic department to Division III. This decision was formally applied for in January 2022, with the university planning to phase out athletic scholarships and transition to a Division III conference over the following two academic years. On June 21, 2022, it was announced that Hartford would become a full member of the Conference of New England on September 1, 2025.
The Hawks have a strong academic record, with a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher for 15 consecutive semesters. In the 2012-13 academic year, 70% of student-athletes recorded a GPA of 3.0 or higher, with 43% achieving a 3.5, and 5% earning perfect 4.0 GPAs. The university has also won the America East Academic Cup three times, including two years in a row in 2012 and 2013.
The Hartford Hawks have had several notable alumni go on to successful professional careers in various sports. For example, Jeff Bagwell, a former third baseman for the university from 1987 to 1989, was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017. Another notable athlete is Vin Baker, who played centre for the Hawks from 1989 to 1993 and went on to become the Milwaukee Bucks' eighth overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Hartford men's basketball team is in Division III.
The University of Hartford's Board of Regents voted to drop its athletic department to Division III on May 6, 2021. The transition was approved by the NCAA in March 2022.
The University of Hartford men's basketball team is nicknamed the Hawks.
The University of Hartford men's basketball team is in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC).
