The America East Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The conference was founded in 1979 as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South, and was later renamed to the America East Conference in 1996. The conference is made up of nine schools located in the northeastern United States, including the University at Albany, Binghamton University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University, University of Vermont, and UMBC. The conference sponsors 19 sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

The conference has won numerous NCAA championships, including seven for men's soccer, three for women's basketball, two for men's basketball, two for men's lacrosse, and one each for women's lacrosse, softball, and field hockey. The conference also sponsors the America East Conference Tournament, an annual competition between the teams in the conference to determine the champion. The tournament is held in the spring and the winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The America East Conference also sponsors the America East All-Academic Team which recognizes scholar-athletes who have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The conference also holds a yearly conference-wide awards banquet to honor the many accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators within the conference. Each year, the conference also holds a series of conferences and workshops to educate and inspire student-athletes and coaches. The conference also provides an online platform for student-athletes to connect with each other and stay updated on news and events.

The conference also has a number of initiatives to promote gender equity and diversity in athletics. These initiatives include the America East Gender Equity and Diversity Initiative, which aims to increase the number of female student-athletes, coaches, and administrators within the conference. The conference also has a mentoring program which connects female student-athletes with female coaches and administrators, and a Women's Leadership Academy which provides professional development opportunities for female student-athletes. The America East Conference is committed to providing a positive and safe environment for its student-athletes. The conference promotes the physical, mental, and emotional health of its student-athletes through initiatives such as the America East Student-Athlete Health & Wellness Program. The program provides student-athletes with educational resources, health screenings, and mental health services. The conference also has a comprehensive drug testing program which all student-athletes are required to adhere to in order to ensure their health and safety. The America East Conference is committed to promoting the academic excellence of its student-athletes. The conference provides numerous academic programs and initiatives to help student-athletes succeed academically, including the America East Academic Partnership Program and the America East Academic Support Program. Additionally, the conference holds an annual All-Academic Team banquet to recognize the academic achievements of its student-athletes. The America East Conference is dedicated to providing its student-athletes with the best possible experience. The conference provides numerous resources for its student-athletes, including financial aid, career services, leadership development, and academic support. The conference is also committed to providing its student-athletes with the best facilities and amenities available. The conference sponsors a number of championships and tournaments each year, as well as a variety of special events such as the America East Student-Athlete Summit and the America East Leadership Academy.
The America East Conference is dedicated to promoting an environment of inclusivity, respect, and fairness. The conference is committed to providing an atmosphere of acceptance and respect for all, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. The conference promotes diversity and inclusion through initiatives such as the America East Diversity and Inclusion Council and the America East Inclusion Statement. These initiatives ensure that all student-athletes, coaches, and administrators are treated with respect and dignity.