WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Council of Presidents and Commissioner Angela Baumann announce the acceptance of Plymouth State University and UMass Dartmouth applications as football affiliate members beginning in the fall of 2025.
 
With the changing New England Football landscape, the MASCAC Presidents and Athletic Directors accepted their application to enhance our football student-athlete experience with more conference contests and with increased affiliate membership commitments to the MASCAC which will ensure the long-term football conference viability for our member institutions.
 
"Plymouth State has maintained a tremendous relationship with the MASCAC and its member institutions over the years," said Director of Athletics Kim Bownes. "We are excited for that to continue in 2025 and beyond."
 
The two institutions have had a long-standing affiliate partnership with the MASCAC and will join the eight geographically proximal MASCAC football playing schools including Anna Maria College, Bridgewater State University, Dean College, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. This 10 team league will provide each MASCAC team a comprehensive conference schedule with nine conference games.
 
"As the New England football landscape continues to evolve, we determined that adding these two institutions would enhance our student-athletes' experience by providing them with additional conference games along with the fact that we were able to come to a long-term affiliate commitment agreement to ensure the longevity of MASCAC Football for our member institutions," Commissioner Baumann said. "Last season, we had two teams only play a nine game season and we wanted to ensure a more comprehensive playing opportunities for our student-athletes. With this addition, the conference will now have ten competing teams which decreases the pressure to find non-conference contests. Going forward, we are requiring our affiliates to make a longer term-membership commitment which will ensure the longevity of MASCAC Football."
 
"We are pleased with continuing the relationship with both Plymouth State University and UMass Dartmouth," Worcester State University President Barry Maloney said. "As affiliate members, both institutions have helped provide long-term stability of the MASCAC Football Conference and will ensure high quality competition on the field."
 
Led by 21-year head coach Paul Castonia, the Panthers finished 4-6 overall and went an even 4-4 in MASCAC play to finish .500 or better in league action for the seventh straight year.