TOWSON, Maryland — The Landmark Conference is pleased to announce that Western Connecticut State University (WestConn) has been approved as an associate member in the sport of football, effective for the 2025 season. The decision was endorsed by the Landmark Conference Presidents during their meeting on August 23, 2024.
With the addition of WestConn, the Landmark football sponsorship expands to eight institutions. The lineup includes full members Catholic University, Juniata College, Lycoming College, Moravian University, Susquehanna University, and Wilkes University, along with affiliate member Keystone College.
“On behalf of the entire university, I would like to thank the Landmark coaches, athletic directors, Presidents and Commissioner Katie Boldvich for accepting us into their prestigious conference,” said WestConn Athletic Director Lori Mazza. “We look forward to the high level of competition on the field and the consistent high academic standard off the field. We look forward to being good conference affiliate members and while this process has been extremely humbling, WestConn is filled with appreciation and excitement as we call the Landmark Conference our HOME.”
WestConn brings a strong football pedigree to the Landmark Conference. The Wolves capped their 2023 season with an impressive 7-2 overall record, clinching a share of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) title with a 7-1 conference record. Their performance earned them the MASCAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, where they finished tied at the top of the standings with Bridgewater State and UMass-Dartmouth. WestConn secured the automatic qualifier by virtue of their higher strength of schedule among the three co-champions. As the 2024 season approaches, the Wolves were picked second out of 10 teams, earning 74 points and four first-place votes — just two points shy of the top spot held by UMass Dartmouth.
“We are excited to welcome Western Connecticut State University as an associate member in football to the Landmark Conference,” said Landmark Commissioner, Katie Boldvich. “Their addition brings a new level of competition and camaraderie that will elevate the experience for all our student-athletes. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the conference as we continue to grow and strengthen our football membership.”
WestConn Head Football Coach Joe Loth (13th Season), the 2023 MASCAC Coach of the Year, revitalized a program that had endured a 21-game losing streak in 2011. By his second season, the Wolves finished 8-2, marking their first winning campaign since 2005 and securing their first postseason appearance since 2001, highlighted by a victory in the ECAC Northeast Bowl. Under Loth’s leadership, WestConn has enjoyed consistent success, avoiding a losing season since his inaugural 2012 campaign. The 2023 season saw several individual accolades for WestConn players, including Offensive Lineman of the Year Patrick Adams and Offensive Rookie of the Year Dae’Shawn Allen. In total, 13 Wolves earned All-Conference honors.
“Our program is excited to be joining the Landmark Conference as a football affiliate,” said Loth. “We love that we are a good fit geographically, in the classroom and on the field. We also know it is going to be a great challenge for us week in and week out. Personally, I am excited to bring our guys to talk to Frank Rossi for media day next year.”
The Landmark Conference will release updated football schedules for the 2025 season in the coming months. For more information on the Landmark Conference, visit landmarkconference.org or follow the conference on Twitter @LandmarkConf.
“Joining a new conference, like the Landmark, is exciting,” said WestConn senior QB John Giller. “New opponents, new defenses, new schemes…. We are excited to compete and always have the same goal in mind as a program, to win football games.”
The Landmark Conference is committed to fostering institutional excellence by emphasizing academic missions and recognizing the role of athletics in the undergraduate experience. Member institutions maintain intercollegiate athletic programs that prioritize academic and personal growth, ensuring student-athletes thrive both on and off the field.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.