.jpg "Lackawanna College Makes Historic Leap to NCAA Division II, Joins PSAC")
Lackawanna College Makes Historic Leap to NCAA Division II, Joins PSAC
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | June 26, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
SCRANTON, Pa. — In a milestone announcement Thursday morning, Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray confirmed that the college has been accepted into the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), officially transitioning its athletic programs to the NCAA Division II level.
The announcement, made inside the college’s Student Union, signals a transformative moment for the institution. Lackawanna College becomes the first Scranton-based college to offer four-year NCAA Division II athletics, joining a respected group of member schools such as East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, and West Chester.
🎥 🔗 Lackawanna College PSAC Announcement
“This is a major moment not just for Lackawanna, but for our entire region,” Dr. Murray said. “We’re proud to continue investing in student opportunities and joining a conference that shares our vision for academic and athletic excellence.”
Athletic Director Erik Larson—who has been instrumental in guiding the process—spoke with excitement about what lies ahead. “Joining the PSAC is a monumental step forward for our college,” he said. “We’ve had great experiences in the NJCAA and will always value those relationships, but we’re ready for this next challenge.”
The PSAC sponsors a broad range of men’s and women’s sports including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, and track and field. With East Stroudsburg previously the closest PSAC school to Scranton, this move firmly places Lackawanna College—and the city—on the Division II map.
The transition from a two-year athletics model to a full four-year NCAA experience not only elevates the program’s status but also enhances recruitment potential and community involvement. As described during the announcement, this evolution brings a Division II presence to a market that previously had none—offering student-athletes in the region a new high-level destination without leaving home.
With increased visibility and athletic opportunity now on the table, the door may also open for future collaborations with platforms like ours at Sportzwire to help tell these stories and spotlight the college’s growing impact.
Lackawanna College is rising—and the sports world in Scranton just got a major upgrade.
