Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA Division I. It was founded in 1980 by Fairfield University, Fordham University, Holy Cross, Iona University, La Salle University, Loyola University Maryland, Manhattan College, Saint Peter's University, and Canisius College. The conference is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, and its members are located in the northeastern United States, including New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, with Quinnipiac University and Rider University also being part of the conference, along with Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, and Siena College.

● History

The conference was established in 1980, with the goal of creating a competitive athletic conference in the northeastern United States. The founding members were Fairfield University, Fordham University, Holy Cross, Iona University, La Salle University, Loyola University Maryland, Manhattan College, Saint Peter's University, and Canisius College. Over the years, the conference has undergone several changes, with Quinnipiac University and Rider University joining in 2013, and Loyola University Maryland leaving in 2013 to join the Patriot League. The conference has also had partnerships with other conferences, such as the America East and the Colonial Athletic Association. The conference has been led by several commissioners, including Rich Ensor, who has been in the position since 1988, and has worked with other conferences, such as the Big East Conference and the Atlantic 10 Conference.

● Member Schools

The conference currently consists of 11 member schools, including Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena College. These schools are located in the northeastern United States, with New York having the most members, including Albany, Buffalo, and New York City. The conference members have also been part of other conferences, such as the Northeast Conference and the MAAC, and have competed against teams from the Big Ten Conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference. The members have also produced notable athletes, such as Luis Lopez from Fordham University and Jason Fraser from Villanova University.

● Championships

The conference holds championships in several sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. The conference champion in each sport earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The conference has also had success in other sports, such as volleyball and soccer, with teams from Quinnipiac University and Rider University competing in the NCAA Tournament. The conference has also partnered with other conferences to hold joint championships, such as the America East and the Colonial Athletic Association. The conference members have also won championships in other conferences, such as the Big East Conference and the Atlantic 10 Conference, with teams from Villanova University and Georgetown University winning championships.

● Sports

The conference sponsors several sports, including men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, volleyball, and cross country. The conference members have also competed in other sports, such as football and hockey, with teams from Fordham University and Holy Cross competing in the Patriot League. The conference has also had notable athletes, such as Jason Fraser from Villanova University and Luis Lopez from Fordham University, who have competed in the NCAA Tournament. The conference members have also produced Olympic athletes, such as Erin Cafaro from University of California, Berkeley and Sarah Groff from University of Wisconsin–Madison.

● Facilities

The conference members have several facilities, including multipurpose arenas, stadiums, and fields. The Times Union Center in Albany, New York has hosted the conference's basketball tournament, while the Yankee Stadium in New York City has hosted the conference's baseball tournament. The conference members have also invested in new facilities, such as the Quinnipiac University's M&T Bank Arena and Rider University's Alumni Gymnasium. The conference members have also used facilities from other schools, such as the University of Maryland's Xfinity Center and the Rutgers University's HighPoint Solutions Stadium.

● Awards and Recognition

The conference has received several awards and recognition, including the NCAA's Award of Excellence and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics' Director's Cup. The conference members have also received individual awards, such as the Naismith Trophy and the John R. Wooden Award, with athletes from Villanova University and Georgetown University winning the awards. The conference has also been recognized for its community service, with the MAAC's Community Service Award being given to teams from Quinnipiac University and Rider University. The conference members have also been part of other award-winning teams, such as the Big East Conference's All-Academic Team and the Atlantic 10 Conference's Academic All-Conference Team. Category:National Collegiate Athletic Association