The United East Conference announced Thursday the addition of Penn State Brandywine for the 2025 season.
"Penn State Brandywine is thrilled to accept the invitation to join the United East Conference beginning with the 2024 – 2025 academic year. We would like to thank Commissioner Stephanie Dutton and the United East Presidents Council for their confidence in Penn State Brandywine and our Athletics program," said Penn State Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells.
"We are truly excited to have Penn State Brandywine become the 18th member of the United East next fall," added United East Commissioner Stephanie Dutton. "Throughout the application process, Penn State Brandywine showed tremendous commitment to its pursuit of Division III membership and the values that we embrace as a division and a conference. We look forward to welcoming their student-athletes, coaches, and staff as full members of the United East, which is a conference that remains committed to evolving and finding ways to pave a new path as the largest conference in Division III."
The Nittany Lions will join local programs from Penn State Abington, Rosemont, Cairn, and Valley Forge in the United East.
Managed by Vinny Gallo, the Nittany Lions pieced together a fantastic 2023 season, securing a program-record 26 victories en route to a third-place finish in the Penn State University Athletic Conference. It marked the fifth consecutive tournament appearance for the program.
Gallo's club earned a USCAA Small College World Series bid in 2019. The program has won 117 games during his eight-year tenure as head coach.
Known previously as the North East Athletic Conference, the United East was established in 2004. The league grew to 17 institutions when it merged with the Colonial States Athletic Conference in July 2023.
Gallo is a local product from Delaware County and a graduate of Springfield High School.
Penn State Brandywine will open the 2024 season on Feb. 17 with a contest against Rosemont.
