Preseason Landscape
The 2026 NEWMAC football preseason poll has placed Springfield College at the summit, awarding the school seven of the eight available first‑place votes. The vote reflects a consensus that the program is poised to capture its sixth straight conference championship, a streak that would underscore a decade‑long dominance in the league.
Guiding the team is head coach Mike Cerasuolo, now in his 11th season with a career record of 75‑26. Under his stewardship the squad returns ten All‑Conference selections from the previous year, among them All‑American Tyler Sordillo and the 2025 NEWMAC Defensive Player of the Year, who together anchor both offense and defense.
Springfield’s recent dominance is underscored by a 50‑4 record in league play since joining NEWMAC in 2017 and an unbeaten streak in conference games that dates back to November 16, 2018. Such consistency has turned the program into a benchmark for excellence within the league.
Behind Springfield, Salve Regina University secured second place with 38 points, followed closely by Merchant Marine in third with 37 and Coast Guard in fourth with 36. Coast Guard’s senior standout Harrison Henley, the 2025 NEWMAC Offensive Player of the Year, will lead a high‑powered offense for his final season.
The season’s opening matchup will pit Merchant Marine against Montclair State University on September 3, setting the tone for a schedule that promises several marquee contests. The NEWMAC championship game is slated for November 14, with the victor earning an automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Beyond the immediate title race, the league’s structure includes 13 full members and seven associate institutions that collectively sponsor 21 sports. This breadth of competition highlights NEWMAC’s role as a comprehensive athletic conference, providing its member schools with a robust platform for athletic and academic growth.