BEVERLY, Mass. — Conference of New England (CNE) Commissioner Patrick Colbert announced on Wednesday morning that he will be stepping down to accept the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer position at the Patriot League. Colbert will remain in the Commissioner role until September 15. 

“The opportunity to lead the Conference of New England has been an honor and a privilege," said Colbert. "The support and trust I received from the Board of Directors, Athletic Directors and other constituents allowed us to achieve great progress over the course of the past two years. This was an extremely challenging decision for me, and that is due greatly to that collaborative spirit and dedicated effort towards being thoughtful leaders in Division III which I am confident will continue to lead the CNE forward.” 

Colbert led the CNE for the past two years, leading the league through a full rebrand from the former Commonwealth Coast Conference name to the Conference of New England in August 2024. He also helped start the league’s new strategic plan, which was publicly launched at the beginning of August to mark one year since the league’s rebrand. He also helped garner league recognition through the addition of the Fusion Bowl, as well as the addition of two new sports in women’s golf and men’s volleyball.

Colbert also spearheaded the addition of three associate members in football (Husson University, New England College, Maine Maritime Academy), as well as two in men’s and women’s tennis (Colby-Sawyer College, University of Saint Joseph). 
 
“Patrick has done an outstanding job of leading the CNE during his tenure as our commissioner," said President of Suffolk University and the Chair of the CNE Board of Directors, Dr. Marisa Kelly. "He has helped to position us for ongoing success as a conference, always putting the student-athlete experience at the center of our approach. We wish him the best of luck iin his new role."
 
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 11 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 21 intercollegiate sports.