You can't see any of the NYC landmarks from Western Connecticut's stadium in Danbury, Connecticut, but everyone else in the conference will have to drive by them on the way to play WestConn in 2025 and beyond. WestConn athletics file photo

The Landmark Conference announced on Tuesday that Western Connecticut State 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 Aug. 23, 2024.

With the addition of WestConn, the Landmark football sponsorship expands to eight institutions. The lineup includes full members Catholic, Juniata, Lycoming, Moravian, Susquehanna, Wilkes, and affiliate member Keystone.

"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."

The Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference removed affiliate members Western Connecticut and Castleton from the conference for football after the 2024 season, leaving WestConn and Castleton looking for new affiliation. For the Landmark, the move gets the conference to an even number of football participants in 2025, assuming no current members close their doors or drop football in the interim.

The Wolves capped their 2023 season with an impressive 7-2 overall record, clinching a share of the MASCAC title with a 7-1 conference record. Their performance earned them the MASCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs, where they finished tied at the top of the standings with Bridgewater State and Mass-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 Mass-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."

Coach Joe Loth, in his 13th season, revitalized a program that had endured a 21-game losing streak in 2011 and is the reigning MASCAC coach of the year. 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.

"Joining a new conference, like the Landmark, is exciting," said WestConn quarterback 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."