The University of Hartford Board of Regents has voted to transition the university’s athletic program from Division I to Division III. The move is expected to save the financially strapped institute $9 million annually cutting athlete athletic aid, coaches’ salaries and athletic department operating costs. The institute, a member of the American East Conference, is expected to petition the NCAA on the move in 2022 with the official reclassification coming in 2025. Hartford Softball is one of of the 15 intercollegiate sports that will be affected by the move.