CLEVELAND, OH – The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) has strengthened its football membership with the addition of Washington University in St. Louis as an affiliate member effective for the fall of 2026.
This addition will bring NCAC football sponsorship to 10 institutions including full-member institutions Denison University, DePauw University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Wabash College, Wittenberg University and the College of Wooster, along with newest full member John Carroll University, which begins NCAC play in the fall of 2025.
“The schools of the NCAC are pleased to partner with Washington University in St. Louis, an outstanding institution that shares our values around intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete experience,” said Michael Frandsen, president of the NCAC and Wittenberg University. “We look forward to meeting the Bears on the gridiron in 2026.”
"This is a wonderful move for NCAC football," stated Executive Director Keri Alexander Luchowski. "It just makes sense to partner with an institution that aligns with the NCAC philosophy of highly competitive athletics within a rigorous academic environment. I’m so pleased to formally welcome the Bears back into the NCAC Football family. We last worked together as part of a scheduling agreement with the UAA football-playing members; I look forward to re-establishing these relationships in the coming years throughout conference competition.”
The addition helps solidify conference football schedules into the future and allows members to play a nine-game schedule and still leave room for a competitive non-conference opportunity at the beginning of the season.
"We are excited about our acceptance into the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) in the sport of football. We look forward to competing for championships while prioritizing the student-athlete experience in the competitive arena and in the classroom," said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. "I am grateful to the NCAC member institutions and their leaders for their partnership and warm welcome. WashU looks forward to competing and making memories with this storied conference."
WashU is currently under a similar affiliate relationship with the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), a partnership that began with the 2018 season and will continue through the 2025 campaign. The Bears posted a fourth-place finish in the CCIW last fall; they are currently knotted in a three-way tie for second early this season. The majority of WashU teams compete in the University Athletic Association (UAA).
Historically, the Bears have competed against the current lineup of NCAC programs 75 times, including taking on Wabash 45 times from 1915 to 2012. Since the NCAC’s first playing season in 1984, WashU played NCAC opponents 35 times, resulting in a nearly even 17-18 (.486) record. In the previous UAA-NCAC scheduling partnership, the Bears faced off with NCAC opponents 20 times, resulting in a 10-10 record against then-NCAC members. WashU has not competed against an NCAC team since 2012.
The NCAC anticipates football schedules for the fall of 2026 to be shared in the coming weeks.
About Washington University in St. Louis
Founded in 1853, Washington University in St. Louis has a rich history intertwined with the growth of St. Louis itself. Named for George Washington, WashU is a medium-sized, independent university — is dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The university is counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Students and faculty come from more than 100 countries around the world. The university offers more than 250 programs and 5,500 courses leading to associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs. Visit WashU Athletics.
About the North Coast Athletic Conference
Founded in 1983, the North Coast Athletic Conference consists of nine academically selective colleges and universities - Denison University, DePauw University, Hiram College, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Wabash College, Wittenberg University, and the College of Wooster along with affiliate members Allegheny College, Earlham College, Transylvania University and Washington & Jefferson College (field hockey). John Carroll University joins the NCAC in the fall of 2025. The NCAC sponsors 23 championship sports, 11 for men and 12 for women. For more information visit northcoast.org or follow the conference on X/Twitter and Instagram at @NCAC and on Facebook at @NorthCoastConf.
What people are saying:
Lori White – President, DePauw University; Vice President, NCAC
“It is exciting to welcome WashU as a football affiliate to the NCAC. WashU is a university that embodies our conference’s academic and competitive values and our shared commitment to Division III.
Anna Gonzalez – Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Washington University in St. Louis
"The history and traditions of the WashU football program have contributed to the strength of our athletics program for well over a century. We have enjoyed continued success and look forward to building upon our successes in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Joining the NCAC gives us the chance both to continue to play competitive football and also travel to a new region where we have a significant number of prospective future student-athletes and many alumni."
Anthony Azama – Director of Athletics, Washington University in St. Louis
“What an exciting time for our football program, coaches, staff, and alumni as we begin the next chapter in the NCAC. While the opponents and locations are new, our mission and commitment remain the same – graduate student-athletes, compete for championships and prepare them for post-grad opportunities while simultaneously prioritizing the student-athlete experience. We are grateful for both the NCAC committee and our University leadership for solidifying this partnership.”
Frank Colaprete – Head Football Coach, College of Wooster; Chair, NCAC Football Coaches
“We are excited to add WashU to our conference. They embody everything the NCAC strives to be. We are adding a football team with strong traditions from a prestigious academic institution.”
David Gellman – Faculty Athletics Representative, DePauw University; NCAC Sports Caucus Co-Chair
“It’s great to partner with a school that shares the NCAC’s emphasis on academic excellence. The opportunity to strengthen ties to St. Louis is an added bonus.”
Judy Holdener – Faculty Athletics Representative, Kenyon College; NCAC Sports Caucus Co-Chair
"I am happy to welcome WashU football to our conference. Their academic mission is very much in line with the membership of the NCAC, and their athletics department shares our commitment to developing student athletes who are also good citizens. This is a very positive development!"
Aaron Keen – Head Football Coach, Washington University in St. Louis
“We are thrilled to be joining the NCAC as an affiliate member for football starting in the 2026 season. Everyone associated with our football program at Washington University is excited about the future and our new conference home. We look forward to establishing new rivalries and playing in new locations. I truly appreciate the leadership at our university for their help in making this new conference home a reality.”
Matt Tanney – Director of Athletics, Wabash College; NCAC Sports Caucus Co-Chair
“A tenth member in football that aligns so strongly with the NCAC's values in academics and athletics brings tremendous value to the conference. Scheduling non-conference football games can be a highly variable process. So, the addition of WashU not only brings greater stability to scheduling, but also provides a new market in St. Louis for the NCAC to showcase the talents of its talented scholar-athletes.”
Natalie Winkelfoos – Director of Athletics, Oberlin College; NCAC Sports Caucus Co-Chair
“The addition of a high-academic football program like WashU is a welcome one. Their inclusion not only brings greater stability to our conference but also raises the level of competition, while aligning with an institution committed to fostering excellence and curiosity both on and off the field.”