Patriot League Statement on NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Oversight Committee Decision
The Patriot League was notified that the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women's Golf Oversight Committee denied the League’s request for a two-year waiver to maintain its automatic qualifier (AQ) to the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship while the League is one team short of the NCAA's minimum sport-sponsorship requirement.
The Patriot League is disappointed in the decision given the limited, two-year span of the request and the fact that it will once again meet the NCAA's minimum sponsorship requirement with the addition of a sixth women's golf program beginning in the 2028-29 academic year.
The Patriot League remains fully committed to the sport of women's golf and to providing a first-class championship experience for its student-athletes. Over the next two years, the League will continue to conduct its annual Patriot League Women's Golf Championship, with the full participation and support of its five sponsoring institutions: Boston University, Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lehigh and the United States Naval Academy. Each institution has reaffirmed its commitment to competing in the Patriot League championship during this period.
Beginning in the 2028-29 academic year, the Patriot League will once again sponsor the NCAA-required minimum of six women's golf programs and will regain its AQ to the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship. Until then, the League will continue to advocate for its women's golf student-athletes while supporting the continued growth and success of the sport across the League. The Patriot League remains an ideal environment for high-achieving women’s golf student-athletes to pursue academic, athletic and personal growth.
History of Women’s Golf in the Patriot League
The Patriot League’s commitment to women's golf and to expanding competitive opportunities for women’s golf student-athletes began in 2002-03, when the League's Council of Presidents approved the creation of a Patriot League Women's Golf Championship once four full member institutions sponsored the sport.
The vision was realized in 2013 with the inaugural Patriot League Women's Golf Championship with Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lehigh and Navy competing. Boston University's arrival as a full member in 2013-14 increased the number of sponsors to five institutions, and the League earned an AQ to the NCAA DI Women’s Golf Championship in 2014-15 through the addition of Richmond as an associate member.
The Patriot League maintained its AQ without interruption from 2015 through 2026. Richmond's departure following the 2023-24 academic year was not due to diminished institutional support for women's golf within the Patriot League. The move occurred because the Atlantic 10 began sponsoring the sport, which required Richmond to compete within its primary conference. The League's temporary loss of AQ status reflects changes in conference sponsorship across collegiate athletics—not a decline in the League's commitment to women's golf.
Since Richmond's departure, the Patriot League has remained focused on strengthening the sport from within its membership. Those efforts have resulted in a current member institution committing to add women's golf beginning in the 2028-29 academic year, thereby restoring the League to the NCAA's minimum sponsorship requirement to receive an AQ. During a period of significant change across collegiate athletics, the Patriot League is proud that its member institutions continue to invest in expanding competitive participation opportunities for student-athletes and remain committed to the long-term stability and growth of women's golf.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.