Three USCAA Division 2 Members Elevated to Division 1

PITTSBURGH, PA -- The United States Collegiate Athletic Association and its Board of Directors announced on Thursday the elevation of three current USCAA member institutions from Division 2 to Division 1 starting in the 2024-25 academic year: Berkeley College, Villa Maria College and Five Towns College will all make the classificational jump from Division 2 to Division 1 moving forward with the USCAA. 

Chief Operating Officer, BJ Bertges said the following of the three schools making the jump, "Since beginning their membership with the USCAA in 2015, Villa Maria College has shown consistent growth and I am excited to see how they continue to grow with the addition of athletic scholarships within their programs". 

Villa Maria College made a USCAA National Tournament appearance in Men’s Basketball last season.

As for Berkeley College, Bertges stated, "As a shift in our membership is taking place in and around our New York City institutions, Berkeley has made the decision to add athletic scholarships to their offerings.  Already competitive within the USCAA, it will be exciting to watch how they continue to flourish with this addition to their department and better align with membership in that region".  

Berkeley College was the USCAA Division 2 Men’s Soccer Runner Up.

Another shift in the dynamic of New York, Bertges said the following regarding Five Towns College, "Since 2017, Five Towns College has been a member of the USCAA.  As part of their consistent growth and desire to align with the recent changes to USCAA membership in their region, they've made the decision to reclassify as a Division I institution by way of adding athletic scholarships.  I am certain they will continue to see success within the USCAA as they continue to foster competitive athletic programs". 

Five Towns College made USCAA National Championship appearances in both Men’s Soccer and Women’s Basketball last season.