BEVERLY, Mass. – The Conference of New England (CNE) is thrilled to officially announce the addition of Johnson & Wales to the conference as its 11th full member on Tuesday, July 1. The move marks a new chapter for the Wildcats, transitioning from a successful tenure in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) into a broader New England competitive stage in the CNE.
 
"It is with great pride that we officially welcome Johnson & Wales University as the conference's 11th member,” said CNE Commissioner Patrick Colbert. “As an institution with an established tradition of competitive excellence in New England and at the national level, their commitment towards offering broad-based academic programs aligns directly with our philosophical values as a conference to provide a true, comprehensive experience for student-athletes that connects organically with the Division III philosophy.
 
Johnson & Wales has been an associate member in the CNE in men’s and women’s ice hockey since the 2023-24 season. Since joining the GNAC in the 1995–96 academic year, the JWU Providence Wildcats have built a formidable reputation, amassing numerous championships across multiple sports. Highlights include:

• 87 conference championships, including eight in the past four years, highlighted by four in baseball and three both women’s lacrosse and women’s soccer
• 82 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 12 in women’s volleyball and 10 in men’s soccer
• 18 GNAC Commissioner’s Cup, including four-straight women’s cups (2021-25)

 
"This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone here at Johnson & Wales,” said JWU Director of Athletics Dana Garfield. “Our coaches and student-athletes are anxious to begin competition in one of the most prestigious conferences on the east coast in the Conference of New England. The CNE offers our student-athletes a well-rounded experience, with opportunities for leadership and growth within a competitive arena.”
 
The Wildcats currently field 16 varsity teams including 14 current CNE Championship sports (baseball, men's and women's basketball, women’s cross country, field hockey, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, and women’s outdoor track & field, and women's volleyball). In addition to those CNE sports, they also sponsor men's wrestling, and equestrian IDA and equestrian IHSA teams.
 
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Originally founded in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), and reconstituted as the Conference of New England (CNE) in 2024, the CNE is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 10 full member and five associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers championships in 20 intercollegiate sports.