"Who We Are" - About the Patriot League
Who We Are, What We Believe, What We Do 
The Patriot League, which was founded on the principles of admitting athletes who are academically representative of their class, is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.
The Patriot League began as a successful Division I-AA (now called Football Championship Subdivision) football conference in 1986. Full League members include American, Army West Point, Boston University, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola Maryland and Navy. Associate members include Fordham in football, Georgetown in football and women's rowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in women's rowing, Richmond in football, beginning in 2025 and Villanova and William & Mary in football, beginning in 2026.
These member institutions are among the oldest and most prestigious in the nation. Alumni from Patriot League colleges and universities have played a leadership role in the shaping of our country.
In the classroom, the Patriot League's full-member institutions consistently rank among the top Division I programs in the NCAA Graduation Rates Report. Since 1998, the Patriot League has ranked first among all Division I conferences offering scholarships in student-athlete graduation rates according to the NCAA Graduation Rates report. The League finished at the top spot with a 93 percent graduation success in the most recent data. In addition, 92 Patriot League teams earned NCAA Academic Performance Program Public Recognition Awards after posting academic progress rate scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports.
League members have also distinguished themselves on the field of play. The Patriot League sponsors championship competition in 24 sports (11 for men; 13 for women). Championship teams from 16 sports are guaranteed advancement into NCAA post-season competition: baseball, men and women's basketball, field hockey, football, men and women's golf, men and women's lacrosse, rowing, men and women's soccer, softball, men and women's tennis and volleyball. Patriot League schools have won numerous NCAA Tournament games in the sports of men's basketball, baseball, football, women's volleyball, men and women's lacrosse, softball, men's soccer and field hockey during the League's history.
Along the timeline of Patriot League history about three-quarters of the Patriot League's Scholar-Athletes of the Year also received All-Patriot League status for their exemplary athletic performance.
In the Patriot League's history, nearly 400 student-athletes have been recognized as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, while more than 15,000 have qualified for the League's Academic Honor Roll. Dozens of student-athletes have received NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. Additionally, Patriot League student-athletes have earned Fulbright Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships, Victory Scholarship and NACDA/Disney Scholarships.
Today's Scholar-Athletes, Tomorrow's Leaders
Full Members
| Institution |
Location |
Enrollment |
Nickname |
PL Sports |
Sponsored Affiliation |
| American University |
Washington, D.C. |
6,783 |
Eagles |
15 (6 M; 9 W) |
2001- |
| Boston University |
Boston, Mass. |
18,100 |
Terriers |
20 (8 M; 12 W) |
2013- |
| Bucknell University * |
Lewisburg, Pa. |
3,615 |
Bison |
24 (11 M; 13 W) |
1986- |
| Colgate University * |
Hamilton, N.Y. |
2,903 |
Raiders |
22 (10 M; 12 W) |
1986- |
| College of the Holy Cross * |
Worcester, Mass. |
2,899 |
Crusaders |
24 (11 M; 13 W) |
1986- |
| Lafayette College * |
Easton, Pa. |
2,414 |
Leopards |
22 (11 M; 11 W) |
1986- |
| Lehigh University * |
Bethlehem, Pa. |
4,781 |
Mountain Hawks |
24 (11 M; 13 W) |
1986- |
| Loyola University Maryland |
Baltimore, Md. |
3,863 |
Greyhounds |
18 (7 M; 11 W) |
2013- |
| U.S. Military Academy |
West Point, N.Y. |
4,686 |
Black Knights; Cadets |
19 (10 M; 9 W) |
1990- |
| U.S. Naval Academy |
Annapolis, Md. |
4,603 |
Midshipmen; Mids |
21 (10 M; 11 W) |
1991- |
* Indicates charter member
Associate Members
| School |
Location |
Enrollment |
Nickname |
Sport |
Years Competed |
| Fordham University |
Bronx, N.Y. |
8,220 |
Rams |
Football |
1990-1994 (Full Member); 1990-present (Football) |
| Georgetown University |
Washington, D.C. |
7,553 |
Hoyas |
Football, Rowing |
2001-present (Football); 2013-present (Rowing) |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Cambridge, Mass. |
4,299 |
Engineers |
Rowing |
2010-present (Rowing) |
| University of Richmond |
Richmond, Va. |
2,990 |
Spiders |
Football |
2014-2024 (Women's Golf); 2025 (Football) |
| William & Mary |
Williamsburg, Va. |
9,818 |
Tribe |
Football |
2026 (Football) |
| Villanova University |
Villanova, Pa. |
10,383 |
Wildcats |
Football |
2026 (Football) |
The Patriot League was founded in 1984, but competition did not begin until the 1986 season