Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division I. Its current 13 full members are located in five Northeastern states: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
Members are all relatively small private institutions, a majority Catholic or formerly Catholic, with the only exceptions being two secular institutions: Rider University and Quinnipiac University.
The MAAC currently sponsors 25 sports and has 17 associate member institutions.
History
The conference was founded in 1980 by six charter members: the U.S. Military Academy, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Iona College, Manhattan College, and Saint Peter's College. Competition officially began the next year, in the sports of men's cross-country and men's soccer.Competition in men's and women's basketball began in the 1981β1982 season. In 1982, Saint Peter's was the first women's team to represent the MAAC in the NCAA women's basketball tournament. In 1984, the MAAC received an automatic bid to the NCAA men's basketball tournament, where Iona was the first team to represent the MAAC on the men's side.
The conference currently possesses 15 automatic bids to NCAA championships. In 2012β13, the MAAC became eligible for its 15th NCAA championship automatic bid when women's rowing fulfilled the qualifying requirements.
The league added football in 1993, but discontinued it following the 2007 season.
From 1997 to 2003, the MAAC sponsored ice hockey. At that time, the hockey league split from the MAAC and changed its name to the Atlantic Hockey Association. Also, Marist College and Rider University moved the majority of their intercollegiate athletic programs to the MAAC in 1997 with the intent that the MAAC would enhance media exposure and competition for their men's and women's Division I basketball programs.
In September 2011, the conference announced the launch of MAAC.TV, the league's first broadband network.
In March 2012, for the first time in 16 years, the MAAC had two teams advance to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, with Loyola earning the league's automatic bid and Iona garnering an at-large bid.
In July 2013, Quinnipiac University and Monmouth University joined the MAAC to replace Loyola University Maryland, departing to the Patriot League. Also in 2013, the MAAC announced that it would add field hockey with league play set to begin in the 2013β14 academic year. However, field hockey was dropped after the 2018 season. The MAAC field hockey league was effectively taken over by the Northeast Conference, which reinstated the sport the following year. The conference decided to no longer host a conference championship for men's rowing after the 2016 season, which is governed by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association.
On January 25, 2022, Monmouth announced it was leaving the MAAC after the 2021β22 school year to join the Colonial Athletic Association, now known as the Coastal Athletic Association. The MAAC responded by entering into negotiations with Mount St. Mary's University, a full but non-football NEC member. ESPN reported on April 27, 2022 that the addition of Mount St. Mary's for 2022β23 and beyond would be finalized in early May. The last of these developments came shortly after the MAAC's greatest success in men's basketball, when Saint Peter's became the first 15-seed ever to reach an NCAA regional final, losing there to eventual national runner-up No. 8 North Carolina. Mount St. Mary's would be confirmed as Monmouth's replacement on May 2.
Also in 2022, four schools that were already MAAC affiliates added men's lacrosse to their MAAC memberships. All were full members of conferences that dropped the sport following the addition of men's lacrosse by the Atlantic 10 Conference. LIU, Sacred Heart, and Wagner are members of the Northeast Conference, and VMI is a member of the Southern Conference. LIU is the only one of the four that had not previously housed men's lacrosse in the MAAC.
In October 2023, the MAAC announced that Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University would join the conference for the 2024-25 season.
Athletic and academic success
Over the conference's history, MAAC teams have achieved national acclaim in many sports. In the summer of 2002, the Marist men's varsity eight boat advanced to the semifinals of the Temple Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. In 2007, the Marist women's basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. The Red Foxes have recorded five NCAA wins since their run in 2007. In the fall of 2011, the Iona men's cross country team finished tied for ninth place at the NCAA Championship race, extending the Gaels' streak to 10 straight Top 10 national finishes. During the 2022 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the Saint Peter's Peacocks became the first 15 seed to reach the Elite Eight. With an overall record of 22β12, Saint Peter's had the best NCAA postseason run with the most wins in a single NCAA Tournament by any MAAC program in the conference's 41-year history. In basketball, MAAC teams have made a total of 80 NIT appearances and 50 NCAA basketball tournament appearances.Notable MAAC student athletes include Mary Beth Riley, a 1991 graduate of Canisius, who was the first recipient of the NCAA Woman of the Year Award and Erin Whalen, a member of the Iona women's rowing team who in the fall of 1998 was awarded one of the nation's 32 Rhodes Scholarships for academic achievement and civic leadership.
Member institutions
Current
Current full members
The MAAC currently has thirteen full member institutions; all are private schools. Of these, all but Quinnipiac, Rider, and Marist are Catholic, though Marist is formerly Catholic.Associate members
Of the MAAC's ten current affiliate members, only two are Catholic. Drake, Jacksonville, LIU, Robert Morris, and Stetson are nonsectarian and Wagner College is Lutheran. There are also two public institutions, the University at Albany and the Virginia Military Institute.Departing members are in red.
| Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Type | Enrollment | Nickname | Primary conference | MAAC sport |
| Albany, New York | 1844 | 2009β10 | Public | 17,944 | Great Danes | America East | ||
| Drake University | Des Moines, Iowa | 1881 | 2009β10 | Private | 4,869 | Bulldogs | Missouri Valley | |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, Florida | 1934 | 2011β12 | Private | 4,213 | Dolphins | ASUN | |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1863 | 2016β17 | Private | 5,191 | Explorers | Atlantic 10 | |
| Long Island University | Brooklyn & Brookville, New York | 1926 | 2019β20 | Private | 15,197 | Sharks | Northeast | |
| Long Island University | Brooklyn & Brookville, New York | 1926 | 2022β23 | Private | 15,197 | Sharks | Northeast | |
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | 1921 | 2010β11 | Private | 4,895 | Colonials | Horizon | |
| Stetson University | DeLand, Florida | 1883 | 2013β14 | Private | 4,341 | Hatters | ASUN | |
| Villanova University | Villanova, Pennsylvania | 1842 | 2003β04 | Private | 11,023 | Wildcats | Big East | |
| Virginia Military Institute | Lexington, Virginia | 1839 | 2011β12 | Public | 1,685 | Keydets | SoCon | |
| Wagner College | Staten Island, New York | 1883 | 2003β04 | Private | 2,211 | Seahawks | Northeast |
;Notes:
Former members
Former associate members
;Notes:
Membership timeline
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bar:1 color:OtherC1 from:1990 till:end text:Patriot
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bar:2 color:OtherC1 from:1990 till:1995 text:Patriot
bar:2 color:OtherC2 from:1995 till:end text:A-10
bar:3 color:FullxF from:1981 till:1996 text:Fairfield
bar:3 color:Full from:1996 till:2003
bar:3 color:FullxF from:2003 till:end
bar:4 color:FullxF from:1981 till:1993 text:Iona
bar:4 color:Full from:1993 till:2008
bar:4 color:FullxF from:2008 till:end
bar:5 color:FullxF from:1981 till:end text:Manhattan
bar:6 color:FullxF from:1981 till:1993 text:St. Peter's
bar:6 color:Full from:1993 till:2007
bar:6 color:FullxF from:2007 till:end
bar:7 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1983 text:ECAC-N
bar:7 color:FullxF from:1983 till:1990 text:Holy Cross
bar:7 color:OtherC1 from:1990 till:end text:Patriot
bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1983 text:ECC
bar:8 color:FullxF from:1983 till:1992 text:La Salle
bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:1992 till:1995 text:Mid-Col
bar:8 color:OtherC2 from:1995 till:1997 text:A-10
bar:8 color:AssocF from:1997 till:2008
bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:2008 till:end text:A-10
bar:9 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1989 text:NEC
bar:9 color:FullxF from:1989 till:2013 text:Loyola (MD)
bar:9 color:OtherC1 from:2013 till:end text:Patriot
bar:10 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1989 text:ECAC North
bar:10 color:FullxF from:1989 till:1993 text:Canisius
bar:10 color:Full from:1993 till:2003
bar:10 color:FullxF from:2003 till:end
bar:11 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1989 text:ECAC North
bar:11 color:FullxF from:1989 till:end text:Niagara
bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1984 text:NEC
bar:12 color:OtherC2 from:1984 till:1989 text:ECAC North
bar:12 color:FullxF from:1989 till:1993 text:Siena
bar:12 color:Full from:1993 till:2004
bar:12 color:FullxF from:2004 till:end
bar:13 color:AssocF from:1993 till:1998 text:St. John's (N.Y.)
bar:14 color:AssocF from:1993 till:2000 text:Georgetown
bar:15 color:AssocF from:1994 till:2008 text:Duquesne
bar:16 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1994 text:NEC
bar:16 color:AssocF from:1994 till:1997
bar:16 color:Full from:1997 till:2008 text:Marist
bar:16 color:FullxF from:2008 till:end
bar:17 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1992 text:ECC
bar:17 color:OtherC2 from:1992 till:1997 text:NEC
bar:17 color:FullxF from:1997 till:end text:Rider
bar:18 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1985 text:Independent
bar:18 color:OtherC2 from:1985 till:2013 text:NEC
bar:18 color:FullxF from:2013 till:2022 text:Monmouth
bar:18 color:OtherC1 from:2022 till:end text:CAA
bar:19 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1987 text:NECC
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bar:19 color:OtherC1 from:1998 till:2013 text:NEC
bar:19 color:FullxF from:2013 till:end text:Quinnipiac
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bar:21 color:OtherC1 from:1981 till:1998 text:NECC
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bar:21 color:AssocOS from:1999 till:2001 text:
bar:21 shift:60 color:OtherC1 from:2001 till:2007 text:NEC
bar:21 color:AssocOS from:2007 till:2024 text:
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text:^"Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Membership History"
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Sports
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference sponsors championship competition in 10 men's and 13 women's NCAA sanctioned sports, plus two sports not organized by the NCAA - esports, which are fully coeducational, and men's rowing.| Sport | Men's | Women's | Coed |
| Baseball | 13 | β | β |
| Basketball | 13 | 11/3 | β |
| Cross country | 13 | 13 | β |
| Esports | β | β | ' |
| Golf | 11 | 11 | β |
| Lacrosse | 8 | 12 | β |
| Rowing | ' | 11 | β |
| soccer in the United States|Soccer] | 13 | 13 | β |
| Softball | - | 13 | β |
| Swimming and diving | 9 | 12 | β |
| Tennis | 9 | 10 | β |
| Track and field (indoor) | 9 | 11 | β |
| Track and field (outdoor) | 10 | 11 | β |
| Volleyball | - | 12 | β |
| Water polo | - | 9 | β |
Men's
Unsponsored
| School | Fencing | Football | Ice hockey | Volleyball | Water polo | Wrestling |
| Canisius | No | No | AHA | No | No | No |
| Iona | No | No | No | No | CWPA | No |
| Manhattan | No | No | No | NEC | No | No |
| Marist | No | PFL | No | No | No | No |
| Merrimack | No | Independent | Hockey East | Independent | No | No |
| Mount St. Mary's | No | No | No | No | CWPA | No |
| Niagara | No | No | AHA | No | No | No |
| Quinnipiac | No | No | ECAC | No | No | No |
| Rider | No | No | No | No | No | MAC |
| Sacred Heart | NEIFC | Independent | AHA | EIVA | No | EIWA |
;Notes
Women's
Unsponsored
| School | Acrobatics and tumbling | Bowling | Equestrian | Fencing | Flag football | Field hockey | Ice hockey | Rugby |
| Canisius | Independent | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Fairfield | No | No | No | No | No | NEC | No | No |
| Manhattan | Independent | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Merrimack | No | Independent | No | No | No | NEC | Hockey East | No |
| Mount St. Mary's | No | Independent | No | No | CC | No | No | Independent |
| Niagara | No | NEC | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Quinnipiac | Independent | No | No | No | No | Big East | ECAC | Independent |
| Rider | No | No | No | No | No | NEC | No | No |
| Sacred Heart | No | CUSA | Independent | NEIFC | No | NEC | NEWHA | Independent |
;Notes
Facilities
Basketball
Men's
| Year | Regular season champion | Tournament champion | Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Coach of the Year |
| 1982 | Saint Peter's | Iona | William Brown | Bob Dukiet | |
| 1983 | Iona | Fordham | Steve Burtt, Sr. | Gordon Chiesa | |
| 1984 | La Salle Saint Peter's Iona | Iona | Steve Burtt, Sr. | Pat Kennedy | |
| 1985 | Iona | Iona | Randy Cozzens | Les Wothke | |
| 1986 | Fairfield | Fairfield | Tony George | Mitch Buonaguro | |
| 1987 | Saint Peter's | Fairfield | Kevin Houston | Ted Fiore | |
| 1988 | La Salle | La Salle | Lionel Simmons | Speedy Morris | |
| 1989 | La Salle | La Salle | Lionel Simmons | Speedy Morris Ted Fiore | |
| 1990 | Holy Cross La Salle | La Salle | Lionel Simmons | George Blaney | |
| 1991 | Siena La Salle | Saint Peter's | Marc Brown | Ted Fiore | |
| 1992 | Manhattan | La Salle | Randy Woods | Steve Lappas | |
| 1993 | Manhattan | Manhattan | Keith Bullock | Jack Armstrong | |
| 1994 | Canisius | Loyola | Doremus Bennerman | John Beilein | |
| 1995 | Manhattan | Saint Peter's | Craig Wise | Fran Fraschilla | |
| 1996 | Iona Fairfield | Canisius | Darrell Barley | Paul Cormier | |
| 1997 | Iona | Fairfield | Mindaugas Timinskas | Tim Welsh | |
| 1998 | Iona | Iona | Kashif Hameed | Tim Welsh | |
| 1999 | Niagara Siena | Siena | Alvin Young | Joe Mihalich | |
| 2000 | Siena | Iona | Tariq Kirksay | Paul Hewitt | |
| 2001 | Iona Niagara Siena | Iona | Demond Stewart | Dave Magarity | |
| 2002 | Rider Marist | Siena | Mario Porter | Deng Gai | Don Harnum |
| 2003 | Manhattan | Manhattan | Luis Flores | Deng Gai | Bobby Gonzalez |
| 2004 | Manhattan | Manhattan | Luis Flores | Tyquawn Goode | Tim O'Toole |
| 2005 | Niagara Rider | Niagara | Juan Mendez | Deng Gai | Joe Mihalich |
| 2006 | Manhattan | Iona | Keydren Clark | Ricky Soliver | Bobby Gonzalez |
| 2007 | Marist | Niagara | Jared Jordan | Jason Thompson | Matt Brady |
| 2008 | Siena Rider | Siena | Jason Thompson | Jason Thompson | Tommy Dempsey |
| 2009 | Siena | Siena | Kenny Hasbrouck | Tyrone Lewis | Fran McCaffery |
| 2010 | Siena | Siena | Alex Franklin | Anthony Johnson | Kevin Willard |
| 2011 | Fairfield | Saint Peter's | |||
| 2012 | Iona | Loyola | |||
| 2013 | Niagara | Iona | |||
| 2014 | Iona | Manhattan | |||
| 2015 | Iona | Manhattan | |||
| 2016 | Monmouth | Iona | |||
| 2017 | Monmouth | Iona | |||
| 2018 | Rider Canisius | Iona | | ||
| 2019 | Iona | Iona | |||
| 2020 | Siena | ||||
| 2021 | Siena Monmouth | Iona | |||
| 2022 | Iona | Saint Peter's | |||
| 2023 | Iona | Iona | | ||
| 2024 | Quinnipiac | Saint Peter's | |||
| 2025 | Quinnipiac | Mount St. Mary's |
;Notes
Postseason history
NCAA tournament at-large bidsIn 2012, Iona, who was inspired by one of their all around best players Sean Armand, which had lost in the semifinals of that year's MAAC tournament, received an NCAA at-large tournament bid. This was the second time the conference was awarded multiple men's NCAA bids.After St. Peter's won the 1995 MAAC tournament, the NCAA men's basketball tournament selection committee awarded Manhattan University an at large bid. The Jaspers proved the committee correct by defeating Oklahoma in the first round. The same first-round success Manhattan enjoyed in the 1995 NCAA tournament could not be matched by Iona. In the 2012 NCAAs, the Gaels unexpectedly relinquished a 25-point, first-half lead to the BYU Cougars, falling 78β72 in Dayton, Ohio. Further, Iona's offense, the highest-scoring in the nation, managed just 17 points in the second half of that upset. It was the largest comeback in NCAA tournament history, besting the 22-point hole the Duke Blue Devils rallied from to defeat the 2000β01 [Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team|Maryland Terrapins] in the Final Four of the 2001 NCAA tournament. Women's
;Notes Postseason history
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