The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) is an athletic conference, affiliated with the NCAA ’s Division III, consisting primarily of small liberal arts colleges in the Northern New England states of Maine and Vermont, as well as New York. The conference was founded in 1996 when six colleges agreed to form the North Atlantic Women's Conference. It changed to its current name in the fall of 1999. It currently sponsors a total of 17 men's and women's sports played by teams of the 13 institutions therein. The 17 different sports that are played in the NAC range from the fall season, throughout the winter, and to the spring season. These sports are played among both men's and women's teams. In the fall season, there are six sports played. Among these are, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Field Hockey, Men's Golf, Men's and Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, and Women's Volleyball. In the winter season there are two sports played, which are Men's and Women's Basketball along with Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving. In the spring time there are four sports both for men's and women's teams. The NAC has Men's and Women's Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Men's Tennis, and Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field. History Chronological timeline Fall 1996 - Bay Path, Lesley, Lasell, Wheelock, Maine Maritime Academy and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy explore the opportunity to join and form an athletic conference to give women student-athletes an opportunity to compete in a post-season tournament. Spring 1997 - The above named institutions work out the details to create an athletic conference to be known as the North Atlantic Women's Conference (NAWC). The steps for a constitution and set bylaws is drafted, championship hosting criteria are established and dates chosen for a spring softball championship. Fall 1997 - The first full academic year for the NAWC brings additional meetings to continue to make policy and procedures more formalized. Championships are to be held in women's soccer, cross-country, basketball and softball. Spring 1998 - Basketball holds first NAWC Championship at Lasell College. Fall 1998 - Becker, Elms and Mount Ida Colleges are interviewed and accepted for membership starting Fall 1999. Spring 1999 - Basketball holds its first NAWC Championship at Maine Maritime Academy. Fall 1999 - North Atlantic Conference (NAC) begins first season of competition, new members include: Becker, Elms and Mount Ida Colleges. There are 8 members of the NAC. Championships