Athletic Triumphs: Neumann’s Legacy on the Sports Field

The history of athletics at Neumann University is a story of bold transformation. It mirrors the institution's own evolution from a small, all-women’s college into a co-educational university known for a unique integration of Franciscan values and competitive drive. From humble beginnings with limited resources to a National Championship and pioneering new NCAA sports, the Knights have a lot to be proud of.

The Early Years: Our Lady of Angels (1965–1980)

When the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia founded Our Lady of Angels College in 1965, the focus was primarily on educating women for the nursing and teaching professions. In these early years, the athletics program was modest, consisting largely of intramural activities and some physical education opportunities.

However, the spirit of competition began to take root in the early 1970s. The first varsity sports took shape in 1972 with the introduction of the women’s volleyball and women’s basketball teams. On-campus games and practices were played in the basement of the convent and in rented facilities close to school. While records from this era are sparse, the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame includes inductees from the Class of 1979, demonstrating that intercollegiate competition was alive and well before the college became co-educational.

1980–1999: Becoming the Knights

The year 1980 held a critical moment. The institution changed its name to Neumann College to honor St. John Neumann who supported the Sisters of St. Francis’s efforts to start the school and officially opened its doors to male students. The transition into a co-educational institution created the pathway to a modern athletics program.

With the arrival of male students came the need for a unified athletic identity. The college adopted the "Knights" moniker, symbolizing chivalry, service, and courage—traits that aligned well with the school's Franciscan mission. In addition to the updated identity, the 1980s and 90s gave way to steady program expansion. Included in this program expansion was the construction of the Thomas A. Bruder Jr. Life Center. This new student space assisted in the development of the men’s basketball, men’s soccer and baseball programs women’s soccer and softball. By the early 1990s, Neumann was a member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC), which later became the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC), giving the Knights a home for regular conference play and the opportunities to compete for NCAA tournament bids.

1998–2009: The "Golden Age" and National Prominence

The late 90s and 2000s defined Neumann athletics, characterized by a daring risk that paid off in historic fashion. In 1998, despite being a small school with modest budgets, Neumann launched a men's ice hockey program that was then followed by the start of a women’s ice hockey program in 2000. It was a financially risky move, but it differentiated the college in the crowded Philadelphia sports marketplace.

The ice hockey gamble culminated in a fairy-tale season in 2009. The men’s ice hockey team, entering the NCAA tournament as underdogs, defeated Gustavus Adolphus 4–1 to win the NCAA Division III National Championship. It remains the only NCAA team national title in school history and placed Neumann firmly on the national athletic map. Coinciding with the success in varsity sports, Neumann also saw the Club Roller Hockey team establish a dynasty winning multiple national titles beginning in 2006 and as recently as 2025, further cementing the school's reputation of competitive excellence.

2009: A Year of Transformation

Athletically speaking, the year 2009 was arguably the most significant in the university’s history. While Neumann College was becoming Neumann University reflecting its expanded academic offerings, the athletics and recreation department thrived, winning five conference championships and the national championship.

The university opened the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development. Far more than just a gym, this 72,000-square-foot facility symbolized Neumann's philosophy that sports are a vehicle for moral growth. It serves as the heartbeat of campus life today. In conjunction with the Mirenda Center was a strategic partnership between athletics and the Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development (CSSCD). A unique arrangement, the CSSCD partnered with athletics to infuse the university's core values—Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship (RISES) — into the student-athlete experience through the chaplaincy program and other initiatives. Additionally, the turf field was installed and provided the opportunity for athletics to expand into recreation and intramurals.

2018–Present: A New Era of Leadership

In recent years, Neumann has continued to evolve, shifting conference affiliations to find better competitive fits and pioneering new opportunities for women. In 2018, Neumann helped found the Atlantic East Conference (AEC), joining forces with peer institutions to create a league of like-minded private institutions. While a member of the Atlantic East, the Knights have seen men’s soccer, and men’s basketball programs win multiple conference championships. To date the student-athletes and coaches from multiple programs have won 30 conference championships. In 2023-2024, Neumann became a leader in the emerging sport of Women’s Flag Football. And in 2024-2025 the Atlantic East became the first NCAA conference to sponsor the sport as a varsity offering, with Neumann participating in the inaugural tournament, once again proving its willingness to innovate.

Looking ahead, Neumann has announced it will join the prestigious Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) in the 2026-27 academic year, a move expected to raise the profile of its 23 varsity teams even further. Plans for an on-campus ice hockey rink are moving forward. Anticipated to hold two sheets of ice, the rink is a facility that will support programming for Neumann University and strategic partner Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. The combination of these exciting opportunities will continue to provide Neumann athletics with the opportunity to deliver a student-athlete experience anchored in the Franciscan Tradition.