Something New for 2021

Lost in the midst of COVID and the attempt by many schools to weather a challenging spring 2021 season (with and without FB), has led many to forget an important change is coming to D3 this fall.

The longstanding four region alignment - East, North, South and West - will dissolve into a new format. So what does this mean for the Hobart Football team?

Photo courtesy of Dorothy Hoffman / Parents and Fans of Hobart Football Facebook Group

I guess the best answer for now is "it depends". To clarify, the Statesmen (and the other Liberty League schools) will not be "an East" team, but rather categorized under "Region 2" which includes the following:

- Empire 8 / E8: Currently at 7 teams (we'll have to wait and see if Hartwick makes it through the summer or not)

- Liberty League / LL: Also w/ 7 teams, including associate member Buffalo State for D3FB 

- New Jersey Athletic Conf. / NJAC - Now at 7 given the loss / closing of Wesley College

- Centennial Conference / CC: Previously a "South Region" conference, the CC will now match up with the 3 mostly NY/NJ conferences in the regional / NCAA playoff rankings. The CC has the largest membership with 10 schools in it and is home to the 2019 National Semifinalist Muhlenberg College, coached by Hobart alum, Nate Milne '03.

So in November things will look different as far as regional rankings and brackets will go. Hobart's main goal however will be the same - winning the LL and NCAA AQ - to land one of the coveted 6-9 team playoff rankings (more on this at a later date) in Region 2.

You can see more on how this is being set up via this link here. You will note that D3FB is only part of the equation as all sports are being affected.

One important change, D3FB wise, I've heard is given the depth and breadth of the conferences in Region 6, it's likely the American Southwest (ASC) will be moved into Region 3, but that isn't "official" just yet.

As stated above, more to come on this as it evolves later in the 2021 (fall) season. In the meantime, I'll hope to get some more recruiting or other news up as I come across it.

As always, thanks for reading and go 'Bart!