As House Settlement Nears Approval, Saint Francis Abandons D-I for D-III

Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa., announced Tuesday it will transition from Division I to Division III beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. 

"Based on the changes in athletics nationally, it would be a disservice to our student-athletes and athletic department staff not to review and assess how we can best provide the resources necessary for them to be competitive," SFU board chairman Rev. Joseph Lehman, Ph.D., said, as reported by Football Scoop.

According to FootballScoop's Zack Barnett, Saint Francis competes in the Northeast Conference in all sports, including football. Head coach Chris Villarrial's team went 4-7 in 2024, and the 2025 season — SFU's last at the FCS level — will see the Red Flash open against the University of Louisiana Monroe and Buffalo, both FBS schools.

The Saint Francis men's basketball team played in the NCAA Tournament last weekend. The Red Flash lost to Alabama State in a First Four play-in game. 

National columnist Barnett reported hat Saint Francis will move into the Pennsylvania-centric Presidents' Athletic Conference, with nine of its 11 members located in the Keystone State, and the other two in West Virginia and Kentucky.

"The Board and I have been concerned about the student-athlete experience for many years," SFU president Dr. Malachi Van Tassell said. "The geography of our conference is huge. Our students travel either to Chicago or to Boston or to points in between. That's a lot of time not spent on campus, developing friendships or in the classroom. This change allows our students to be present on campus and lets their friends attend more of their home and away games. This decision is about creating and maintaining community and allowing our student-athletes to thrive in the classroom and their chosen sport."

College athletes are months away from sharing in their schools' revenue, assuming the House v. NCAA settlement is approved next month by Judge Claudia Wilken,, Barnett reported, adding, "Tuesday's announcement did not mention House specifically, but its shadow colored every word."

It is believed the decision of Saint Francis to reclassify may be the first in a string of such moves for schools reassessing their revenue and expenses in coming years.