There’s just something romantic about the Yankee Conference. It’s a name that evokes a different era of college football; a time when rivalries were regional and grit alone could get you into championship contention. The original Yankee Conference has been defunct since the 90s (besides a stunt by Merrimack and Sacred Heart). We propose that we should bring it back, and save the soul of College Football in the process.
For those who don’t remember, the Yankee Conference was a key institution in Division I-AA (now known as FCS). From the mid-70s until its dissolution in 1996, it was a football-only league featuring some of the most storied programs in the Northeast. It was tough, it was regional, and it produced some legendary players and coaches (yes, Chip Kelly did play in the Yankee Conference!). The league’s eventual absorption into the A-10 and then the CAA Football conference marked the end of an era, but the DNA of that conference is still alive and well in these northeastern programs. We let this vision take shape, elevating top tier FCS programs combined with the FBS legends of the old Yankee to make the new, premier New-England-centric conference.
Our proposed new Yankee Conference is both a revival and a re-imagining. It brings together a blend of historic Yankee members and new additions, all with a clear purpose: to create a powerful, competitive, and geographically sensible conference in the Northeast.
The proposed structure is as follows:
North Division:
- Maine: A founding member of the original Yankee Conference, the Black Bears bring a deep-rooted history and a loyal fan base. Their inclusion keeps a historic name in the fold and maintains a key regional rivalry as well as stretching the footprint all the way northeast.
- New Hampshire: Another original member, UNH has been a consistent force in the CAA. Their long-standing rivalry with Maine would be a centerpiece of the new conference and a prime example of the regional flavor it aims to capture.
- Buffalo: The Bulls, currently in the MAC, would be a massive get. As a former FCS program that successfully made the jump, they bring a blueprint for success and a strong presence in the Western New York market, expanding the conference’s footprint and bringing UMass another rivalry partner out of the MAC.
- UMass: The Minutemen, a former Yankee Conference member, may finally find success while embracing their Yankee Conference roots. This move would give them a stable home, rekindle old rivalries, and provide a clearer path to bowl eligibility.
- Holy Cross: The Crusaders bring a rich football tradition, including a historic rivalry with Army. They’ve been a powerhouse in the Patriot League and their addition would add a Central Massachusetts anchor and some of the better facilities in the new conference.
- Army: The Black Knights, with their storied program and national recognition, are the ultimate prize. Their inclusion would instantly legitimize the conference on a national scale, drawing in viewers and media attention with their unique offense and rivalry with Navy, one of the best in college football.
South Division:
- UConn: Like UMass was until recently, UConn is a football independent looking for a stable home. Their return to a conference with a regional focus would make perfect sense, giving them stable scheduling and reviving long-dormant rivalries, plus a path to conference championships.
- URI: Another original Yankee Conference member, the Rams would be a foundational piece of the South Division. Their inclusion ensures that the new conference honors its roots and maintains a historical connection to the past, plus provides a regional rival for UConn and Delaware. Their recent performance has shown they are ready for FBS.
- Villanova: The Wildcats are a football-only member of the CAA and a consistent contender in the FCS. Their strong fan base and location in the Philadelphia area would be a key asset to the new conference, strengthening its presence in a major media market while elevating the program to the FBS level.
- Delaware: The Blue Hens just jumped up to FBS and have already won a big game against UConn. Their move to the FBS is already in motion, and the new Yankee Conference would be a much better cultural and competitive fit than CUSA. Their iconic winged helmets represent the conference’s strong history and influence in College Football.
- JMU: The Dukes, a somewhat recent FBS addition, have taken college football’s top tier by storm with everything but a playoff appearance. Their inclusion would add another former, southern member and an immediate playoff contender to the new conference.
- Navy: The Midshipmen, like Army, would be a game-changer. As a storied service academy with a national following, their presence would immediately elevate the conference. Plus, the Army-Navy game is an amazing tradition to have in conference, and fits the heritage of the Yankee Conference as well.
The impact of this new Yankee Conference could change the landscape of the sport. It would fundamentally reshape the FCS and FBS landscapes, for starters, with 5 schools receiving FBS promotions. It would also create the first FBS conference truly anchored in the Northeast, one that could compete for television contracts and local bowl tie-ins. It would give recently struggling programs like UMass and UConn a clear path to stability and success. But most importantly, it would bring back the regional rivalries that made college football great to begin with. The new Yankee Conference is about identity, history, and a vision for the future of the game. Plus – wouldn’t it be fun?
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