The Collegiate Arena
A comprehensive guide to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, exploring its history, institutions, and athletic endeavors.
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About the MAAC
Conference Overview
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA Division I. Established in 1980, it comprises 13 full member institutions situated across five Northeastern states: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. The conference primarily features small, private institutions, with a notable majority having Catholic affiliations.
Athletic Scope
The MAAC currently sponsors 25 distinct sports, encompassing 11 men's, 13 women's, and 1 coeducational sport. It also maintains 17 associate member institutions for specific sports. The conference provides automatic bids to NCAA championships across numerous sports, underscoring its competitive standing within collegiate athletics.
Geographic Footprint
The MAAC's membership is concentrated in the Northeastern United States, with institutions located in key states including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maryland. This regional focus facilitates manageable travel and fosters strong rivalries among member schools.
Historical Trajectory
Foundation and Early Years
Founded in 1980, the MAAC began with six charter members: the U.S. Military Academy, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Iona College, Manhattan College, and Saint Peter's College. Competition commenced in the 1981-82 academic year, initially featuring men's cross-country and soccer, followed by men's and women's basketball in 1981-82. The conference secured its first NCAA automatic bid for men's basketball in 1984.
Membership Evolution
The conference has experienced several membership changes. Notably, Marist College and Rider University joined in 1997. In 2013, Quinnipiac University and Monmouth University joined, replacing Loyola University Maryland. More recently, Monmouth departed for the Coastal Athletic Association, and Mount St. Mary's University joined in 2022. Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University are slated to join in 2024-25.
Championship Success
MAAC teams have achieved significant national recognition. Notable successes include Marist's women's basketball Sweet 16 appearance in 2007 and Iona's men's cross country team's consistent Top 10 finishes. The conference's most prominent moment came in the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament when Saint Peter's became the first 15-seed to reach the Elite Eight, marking the program's most successful NCAA postseason run.
Member Institutions
Current Full Members
The MAAC currently comprises thirteen full-member institutions, all of which are private universities. Eleven of these institutions are Catholic, with Rider University, Quinnipiac University, and Marist University being the exceptions.
Associate Members
The MAAC also includes several associate members who participate in specific sports not fully sponsored by their primary conference or who are transitioning affiliations.
Sponsored Sports
MAAC Championship Sports
The MAAC offers a comprehensive slate of NCAA-sanctioned sports, alongside emerging and non-NCAA recognized disciplines.
Campus Venues
Member institutions host competitions in dedicated facilities across various sports. Below is a summary of key venues for basketball, baseball, and soccer.
Athletic Facilities Overview
Basketball Excellence
Tournament History
MAAC teams have a rich history in both NCAA and NIT tournaments. The conference has secured numerous automatic bids, with Saint Peter's making a historic Elite Eight run in the 2022 NCAA Tournament as a 15-seed.
Individual Accolades
The conference recognizes outstanding player and coaching achievements annually. Awards include the MAAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, highlighting exceptional talent and leadership within the league.
Recent Performance
The MAAC continues to be a competitive conference, with teams regularly vying for NCAA Tournament berths and performing well in postseason play. The league's parity ensures exciting matchups throughout the regular season and conference championship.
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References
References
- The Mount St. Mary's campus has an Emmitsburg mailing address, but lies in unincorporated Frederick County.
- Includes enrollment at both the Brooklyn and Post campuses. All LIU sports are open to undergraduates at both campuses who meet NCAA eligibility requirements.
- Primary conference: Atlantic 10
- The Le Moyne campus has a Syracuse mailing address, but almost entirely lies in the adjacent town of DeWitt.
- Includes enrollment at both the Brooklyn and Post campuses. All LIU sports are open to undergraduates at both campuses who meet NCAA eligibility requirements.
- Replaced by the LIU Sharks.[19]
- Marist, Mount St. Mary's, Rider, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart are currently full members of the MAAC.
- The Mount St. Mary's campus has an Emmitsburg mailing address, but is located in unincorporated Frederick County.
- Robert Morris, currently a full member of the Horizon League, dropped field hockey after the 2013 fall season (2013รขยย14 school year).
- St. John's, a full member of the Big East throughout its tenure in MAAC football, dropped the sport after the 2002 fall season (2002รขยย03 school year).
- Esports, in which men and women directly compete alongside and against one another, are not sanctioned by the NCAA, but governed by the Electronic Gaming Federation.
- Men's rowing is not sanctioned by the NCAA, but governed by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association.
- Fairfield's men's lacrosse team does not participate in the MAAC; it currently plays in the Coastal Athletic Association.
- Iona will reinstate men's tennis in 2026รขยย27.[21]
- Sacred Heart will move its football program to CAA Football in 2026.
- Esports, in which men and women directly compete alongside and against one another, are not sanctioned by the NCAA, but governed by the Electronic Gaming Federation.
- Iona will reinstate women's tennis in 2026รขยย27.[21]
- Currently part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program.
- Not currently an NCAA sport, but expected to become part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in 2026รขยย27.
- Conference Tournament was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and Rider was declared the champion.
- Schwerin, Bo. "Game On," Loyola (Magazine of Loyola University Maryland), April 2010.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or current.
This is not professional advice. The information provided is not a substitute for official NCAA or MAAC regulations, or consultation with collegiate athletics professionals. Always refer to official sources for the most up-to-date information.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.