Due to covid or other concerns, some programs have dropped out of Division 1 competition, or temporarily suspended operations of their men’s basketball programs. As a result, the NJCAA announced it adjusted the District assignments for the 2021 season. Whether this will become permanent is yet to be determined, although the NJCAA is committed to keeping these assignments if things stay the same down the road. However, if any major participation changes occur in the future, further adjustments may be necessary.
For 2021, the East District (Regions 15, 19, 20) has been eliminated. Region 15 (lower NY) has two teams which are not participating in DI this season). Regions 19 (Eastern PA, DE, and NJ-1 team), and Region 20 (MD, W. PA, and WV panhandle-4 teams) have been moved to the Atlantic District, which used to include only Region 10 (SC, NC, VA and So. WV-8 teams). That District remains as the Atlantic District and will have 12 teams competing in its Championship.
District 1 (Regions 1 (AZ) and 18 (W. CO, NV, UT, and ID) has been divided into two separate Districts, each now with its own Champion and auto qualifier to the National Tournament. Region 1 is now the West District, with Region 18 becoming the Rocky Mountain District.
Here is the District breakdown for 2021:
- Appalachian – Region 7 (NC, SC, VA, and So. WV) 10 teams
- Atlantic – Regions 10 (NC, SC, VA, and So. WV), 19 (E. PA, DE, and NJ), and 20 (MD, W. PA, and No. WV) 12 teams
- Central – Region 24 (So. IL) 11 teams including Vincennes Univ., the only DI member of Region 12 (IN, OH, and lower MI), and competes in the Central District Championship.
- Gulf – Region 23 (MS & LA) 19 teams
- Midwest – Regions 4 (No. IL & NE Neb) and 16 (MO) 14 teams
- Mid-South – Region 14 (W. TX and NM) 14 teams
- North Central – Regions 11 (IA) and 13 (MN, ND, SD, Upper MI, E. MT, and No. WI) 10 teams
- Northwest Plains – Region 9 (NE, W. CO, WY, and W. MT) 13 teams
- Plains – Region 6 (KS) 15 teams
- South – Region 22 (AL) 16 teams
- South Central – Region 2 (OK) 10 teams
- South Atlantic – Region 8 (FL) 18 teams
- Southeast – Region 17 (GA) 9 teams
- Southwest – Region 5 (E. TX) 17 teams
- West – Region 1 (AZ) 6 teams
- Rocky Mountain- Region 18 (NV, ID, UT, and W. CO) 6 teams