The United States Collegiate Athletic Association announced Dec. 20 that Berkeley College has officially been promoted from a Division II athletic college to a Division I school.

This upcoming season, the school’s New York men’s basketball team, New York women’s basketball team and New Jersey men’s soccer team will compete at the D1 level.

The Knights are also joining a new athletic conference – moving from the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to the North American Conference for Intercollegiate Athletics Inc. Berkeley says the move will offer more opportunities and potential – both on and off the field.

Notably, the move from D2 to D1 provides the opportunity to offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes.

“This journey marks an exciting new chapter for our athletics program, and as we advance as a USCAA Division I school, we’re opening doors to even more opportunities for both current and future student athletes,” said Sherrille Shabazz, vice president, student development and campus life, Title IX coordinator, and interim athletic director.

Berkeley will not be eligible to play in the NCAA basketball tournament but is still eligible to compete for national titles through the USCAA’s tournaments.

Shabazz stressed how proud she is of the student-athletes for their hard work, dedication and commitment to both academic and sports.

“Their resilience, sportsmanship, and teamwork truly embody the spirit of our community,” said Shabazz, who also lauded the head coaches and assistant coaches for mentoring and driving the student athletes to strive for excellence. “Their commitment to our athletes’ success and personal growth is invaluable.”

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