05/08/2024 | Press release | Archived content
BEVERLY, Mass. - Today marks the official announcement of the Conference of New England (CNE), equipping the conference and its membership with a modernized brand toolkit built for the future. Formerly known as the Commonwealth Coast Conference, the CNE partnered with the New Jersey-based agency SKYE (skye.design), leaders in sport branding, to conduct a thorough brand analysis and develop a refreshed set of logos.
"This is a historic day for our conference as we announce our commitment towards a deliberate and comprehensive philosophy that effectively equips our campus leaders with the ability to collectively support our student-athletes and institutions," said Commissioner Patrick Colbert. "It was important that through this process we developed a brand strategy that focused on our priorities as innovative leaders in our space as we look to chart a new course forward that serves our student-athletes at the highest level.
"This new identity builds on the strength of our history as a conference while also highlighting its forward momentum and growing reach, including our geographic footprint, reputation, and quality of the athletic experience we offer student-athletes," said Marisa Kelly, President of Suffolk University and Chair of the Conference of New England's Board of Directors. "The Conference of New England is increasingly competing on a regional and even a national level, and the reimagination of the brand shines a new light on our momentum and growth."
The CNE enters its 40th year as a conference and last changed logos in 2019. However, this is the first name change for the conference in its 40-year history.
"This rebranding better aligns with the makeup of our member institutions and captures the spirit of collaboration and innovation that drives our conference," said Dr. Steven R. DiSalvo, President of Endicott College and past Chair of the Conference of New England. "It emphasizes our collective goal to enhance the student-athlete experience through robust competition and comprehensive support. The Conference of New England stands as a testament to our shared vision for a brighter future, where our student-athletes continue to excel and inspire."
"I am excited to see this initiative realized," said University of New England Director of Athletics, and member of the Conference's Rebranding Committee, Heather Davis. "After months of collaboration with student-athletes, coaches, and staff, I am proud of the outcome and grateful for my role in it. It honors our history, celebrates our present, and guides our future."
The committee worked with SKYE to provide insight into the conference identity so that the new brand identity would accurately reflect the CNE.
"The CNE identity fuses the conference's essence of unified leadership with its New England home," said SKYE Founder Skye Dillon. "The marks are simple, but the story is rich - rich in values, heritage, athletic ambition, and an inspired vision for what the future holds."
A critical component of this project centered around the development of a new name that was indicative of our member footprint and its demographics while also highlighting the advantage the conference has being located in one of the most competitive and prestigious regions in Division III: New England. Secondly, the membership focused on key philosophical ideologies to attach to a new brand identity that emphasized four key pillars:
Colbert added, "This initiative would not have been possible without the commitment and leadership of our Board of Directors and Athletic Directors who provided sound guidance and support through the entirety of this process. In addition, the time and effort put forth by our Rebranding Committee was instrumental towards the successful completion of this initiative, and their support and communication were crucial towards a successful collaboration between the various constituencies within our conference."
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Originally founded in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), and reconstituted as the Conference of New England (CNE) in 2024, the CNE is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 10 full member and five associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers championships in 20 intercollegiate sports.