COLONIA, N.J. – The East Coast Conference unveiled its Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 on Monday, August 3.

At its core, the ECC is committed to elevating the student-athlete experience through equitable competition and a strong regional identity. The conference's strategic priorities – ensuring long-term stability, promoting student-athlete well-being, and strengthening championship coordination and compliance – reflect its dedication to institutional integrity and athletic development. The ECC's strategic plan to further enhance our success as a conference encompasses the following priorities: 

• Academics and Life Skills
• Athletics Compliance and Integrity
• Game Day Operations and Championships
• Health and Wellness
• Membership and Positioning

Each of these strategic focus areas contain specific goals and strategies within the plan that will be addressed and achieved over the next five years. 

The strategic planning process included a partnership with Double L Consulting. The result was a clear, concise vision, along with a vibrant public document illustrating the plan's components.

"Working alongside the East Coast Conference to craft this strategic plan showcased the ECC's deep commitment to excellence, integrity, and the Division II philosophy," said Double L Consulting's Jill Willson. "This plan reflects the conference's strengths and sets a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation."

Strategic Plan Components
Our Mission
The East Coast Conference unites member institutions in the pursuit of competitive excellence and inspires holistic development.

Our Vision
Guided by the NCAA Division II philosophy, we empower student-athletes to compete honorably, excel academically, and lead with character in their communities and throughout their lives. The ECC will command a championship culture that leads with integrity, competes with passion, and delivers an experience that transforms lives and strengthens communities that we serve.

Our Values
Experience through Connection, Growth, and Opportunity
Compete with Excellence, Discipline, and Resilience
Champion Leadership, Integrity, and Impact

A link to the complete 2026-2031 ECC Strategic Plan can be found here.

What They Are Saying About the ECC's Strategic Plan for 2026-2031
"As we look ahead to the next few years, this strategic plan reflects our unwavering commitment to developing the total student-athlete experience. By prioritizing academic and life skills, strengthening our foundation of compliance and integrity, elevating the championship experience, advancing health and wellness initiatives, and positioning our membership for long-term success, we are intentionally building a conference that leads with purpose. This plan ensures we not only adapt to the evolving landscape of college athletics, but also set a standard for excellence, opportunity, and holistic development across the East Coast Conference. I want to sincerely thank our membership for their collective collaboration, engagement, and shared vision throughout this process, which made this plan both meaningful and impactful." – Jessica Grasso, ECC Commissioner

"I am really excited about the Strategic Planning work we are developing as a committee. It will give us a true North Star and a common goal as we collectively move forward... here, at St. Thomas Aquinas College and as nine proud – and aligned – ECC members." – Kenneth Daly, St. Thomas Aquinas President/ECC Executive Committee Vice President

"On behalf of the ADC Executive Committee, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the development of the East Coast Conference Strategic Plan. This process brought together valuable perspectives from across the conference and provided an opportunity to take a close look at where we are today, where we want to go, and how we can best serve our student-athletes and member institutions moving forward. The result is a roadmap that reflects our shared vision for the future of the ECC while remaining true to the values that have defined our conference. We are proud of the work that went into this plan and look forward to turning these priorities into meaningful action as we continue to strengthen the conference for years to come." – Rob Twible, Queens College Director of Athletics and Recreation/ECC Athletic Directors Council President

"With the strategic plan, we have the opportunity in the next 3-5 years to grow our membership. We have the opportunity to continue to grow our brand outside of the region and across the country, the opportunity to increase our exposure to people in all different markets, and the opportunity to increase our competitive success and how we continue to put our teams in positions to win and be successful." – Ona Halladay, D'Youville University Vice President for Athletics and Planning/ECC Athletic Directors Council Vice President 

"I want the ECC to be able to be a force because our proactive responses lead us to stay ahead of change. What I love most about the ECC is our literal diversity in every aspect; the ECC truly serves everybody. Our makeup gives our student-athletes a wide lens that allows them to continually develop during these transformative years of their lives." – T.J. Tibbs, College of Staten Island Men's Basketball Head Coach

"This isn't a new direction for the ECC – it's a sharpened one. My hope is that this enhanced plan gives our institutions a clearer, more current roadmap for what we already believe in – academic achievement, integrity, and student-athlete well-being – and that it becomes the standard we hold every decision to going forward." – Traci Murphy, Daemen University Vice President for Athletics/ECC Athletic Directors Council Former President