New England College is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) DIII and sponsors 13 varsity sports including: field hockey, women's soccer, men's soccer, men's cross-country, women's cross country, women's basketball, men's basketball, men's ice hockey, women's ice hockey, women's indoor track, men's indoor track, women's outdoor track, men's outdoor track, baseball, softball, women's lacrosse and men's lacrosse.

NEC athletics bases its philosophy on the premise that athletics is an integral part of the overall education experience, and that all students should achieve in the classroom to the best of their abilities. Student-athletes will achieve growth physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially through participation in sport. NEC's athletic programs strive for the development of team and individual excellence. Our teams should provide a sense of spirit, community and pride to students, faculty, staff, friends and alumnae/alumni. All teams, student-athletes, coaches and staff members should strive to exhibit the values of fair play, sportsmanship, gender equity, and a true respect for self and others that will enable the institution to provide the best amateur athletic experience possible.

The Pilgrims have been competitive in both The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) winning several conference championships and earning 13 NCAA Tournament appearances over the past 11 years.

In 2010-11 New England College produced two All-Americans, 24 All-Conference selections, including ECAC East Goalie of the Year and three TCCC Players of the Year. The Pilgrims get it done in the classroom as well with 47 All-Academic student-athletes encompassing all 13 sports.