MAAC_Program_2025_V4_Pages

MARCH 11-15

MAAC Basketball Championships

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JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL @MAACHOOPS MAACSPORTS.COM

CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION Welcome Letters...........................................4 MAAC Commissioner....................................8 MAAC Chronology.........................................9 The MAAC Story...........................................12 Operating Structure...................................16 NCAA Tournament Brackets......................18 MAAC Championship Brackets.................22 Final Statistics and Results.......................24 Major Award Winners.................................26 Record Book................................................29 Commissioner’s Cup..................................31 Academic Honor Roll..................................78 MAAC Honor Roll Profiles...........................79 Championship History................................92

MEN'S TEAMS Fairfield University............................54 Iona University..................................55 Manhattan University.......................56 Marist University...............................57 Merrimack College..........................58 Mount St. Mary's University.............59 Quinnipiac University.......................60 Rider University.................................61 Sacred Heart University...................62 Siena College....................................63

WOMEN'S TEAMS Canisius University...........................66 Fairfield University............................67 Iona University..................................68 Manhattan University.......................69 Marist University...............................70 Merrimack College...........................71 Mount St. Mary's University.............72 Quinnipiac University.......................73 Saint Peter’s University...................74 Siena College.....................................75

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The official 2025 Hercules Tires MAAC Basketball Championships Program is published by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and GO Agency.

MAAC STAFF Commissioner..............................................................................................Travis Tellitocci Sr. Assoc. Commissioner, Basketball..................................................Jordan Confessore Sr. Assoc. Commissioner Sport Administration.........................................Whitney Swab Assoc. Commissioner, Compliance & Student-Athlete Dev. �����������������������AJ Schaufler Assoc. Commissioner, External Affairs/Senior Minority Admin ��������������Hamilton Cook Assistant Commissioner Business & Administration........................Kristine Monaghan Assistant Commissioner, Sport Administration.............................................Caitlin Lowe Director, Marketing & Communications.................................................Nicole Ambruch Director of Compliance & Sport Administration...........................................Karlie Doyle Director, Sport Administration...............................................................................Tate Kay Director of Digital Content & Engagement..............................................Cory Pontarollo Assistant Director.......................................................................................Brooke Timinski Coordinator of Men's Basketball Officials...........................................Michael Stephens Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials....................................Debbie Williamson Associate Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials........................Brad McMillion

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METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE 712 Amboy Ave., Edison, NJ 08837

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Founder & CEO, Van Wagner Group....................................................Richard M. Schaps President, Van Wagner Group and Van Wagner Sports............................John Massoni President, Van Wagner College..........................................................................Mike Palisi Chief Revenue Officer, Van Wagner College................................................Mark Donley Senior Vice President, Marketing, Van Wagner College...........................Diana LePore Assistant VP, Conferences, Van Wagner College..................................Ellen Harrington Account Executive, Van Wagner College....................................................Bryan Schwab

WELCOME LETTERS

March 11, 2025

MAAC Basketball Fans, On behalf of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), I'd like to welcome you to Atlantic City and the iconic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the 2025 MAAC Basketball Championships! This marks the sixth year that the men’s and women’s basketball championships will be held in Atlantic City. For 44 years, the basketball championships have served as a prominent stage for the Conference's storied basketball programs. The automatic bids earned through the MAAC have ignited some of the most unforgettable runs in the history of March Madness. Just three years ago, the Saint Peter’s University men’s basketball team captured the nation's attention with victories against Kentucky, Murray State, and Purdue, securing a coveted spot in the Elite 8. On the women’s side, Marist set the bar as the first MAAC basketball team, men or women, to make a Sweet 16, during an unforgettable run in the 2007 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. A decade later, Quinnipiac battled past the University of Miami to become the second program in MAAC history to reach the Sweet 16. While the spotlight this week will undoubtedly be on the court, there’s been an incredible amount of work that’s been done behind the scenes to create a first-class event for our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans. I’d like to thank the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), the City of Atlantic City, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, the Atlantic City Sports Commission, Visit Atlantic City, the MAAC staff and our co-hosts Rider University and Saint Peter’s University who have all worked diligently toward making this a memorable experience. The support from our corporate partners plays a pivotal role in enhancing the success of the basketball championships. Our sincere thanks go to Van Wagner College and all our corporate partners for their continued commitment to the MAAC and the basketball championships. I'd also like to acknowledge our hotel partner Bally’s Atlantic City that will host our bands, spirits squads and fans who will be traveling to Atlantic City.

In addition to the action on the court, there will be numerous events happening throughout the week for fans to enjoy. The annual Band Jam and Spirit Squad Showcase will feature talented students from our 13 member institutions. We’re also excited to be joined by more than 950 students from Atlantic City schools for Kids Day presented by Gourmet Dining on Thursday, March 13 for the first women’s basketball quarterfinal game. For fans who can’t attend the event, our long-time partner ESPN will broadcast all games on their family of networks. This collaboration between the MAAC and ESPN ensures that the excitement of the championships will be shared with a national audience. Throughout my tenure as Commissioner, I've observed the passion and dedication that defines the essence of the MAAC. This has driven my enthusiasm for the future of the Conference and the exciting success that lies ahead. Thank you for your continued support of the MAAC this season. Your support is integral to our success, and I'm looking forward to an exciting week of MAAC basketball in Atlantic City!

Sincerely,

Travis Tellitocci Commissioner

4 JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

WELCOME LETTERS

March 11, 2025

On behalf of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, (CRDA), we welcome the MAAC student athletes, families and coaches back to Atlantic City and historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for an action-packed 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championship. We are excited to have the tournament return to our venue again this year. We are confident that our building management team, Oakview Group, will provide a safe and friendly environment to play this championship event. We look forward to our continued partnership with MAAC and we invite the athletes, coaches, fans and families to experience all the amenities that our destination has to offer. From world class accommodations to dining, shopping, attractions and entertainment, we are sure you'll find plenty to do during your time here. Visit our website at www.visitatlanticcity.com for a listing of all events and attractions that will make your stay in Atlantic City an enjoyable one!

Sincerely,

Eric Scheffler Executive Director Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

March 11, 2025

Welcome to the 2025 Hercules Tires Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall! We are honored to host the championships here once again in Atlantic City, providing a spectacular backdrop for the schools, student-athletes, and spectators. Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall has a proud legacy of hosting unforgettable events, and the MAAC Basketball Championships are no exception. Year after year, this tournament delivers thrilling competition, and we look forward to creating an electric atmosphere as 20 men’s and women’s teams battle for the conference title and a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament. Thank you for joining us this week and allowing us to showcase our extraordinary facility, along with the many world-class amenities our destination has to offer. To all the student-athletes and coaches, we wish you the best of luck in this week's competition as you fight for a conference championship and coveted spot in the big dance. Enjoy your time with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back for future events!

Sincerely,

Jim McDonald General Manager

2025 | HERCULES TIRES MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 5

WELCOME LETTERS

March 11, 2025 Welcome to the 2025 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships! On behalf of Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Sports Commission, I am pleased to welcome you back to our iconic seaside destination. We are thrilled to welcome back the championships to Atlantic City at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The tournament week will be full of the finest college basketball featuring elite student-athletes battling for a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Your hard work, preparation, and dedication will be showcased for all to see throughout the tournament taking place in one of the East Coast’s iconic shore towns. While visiting Atlantic City, I encourage you to dine, explore and celebrate after the games are complete. There are endless experiences all within walking distance of the arena and headquarter hotels. To discover what’s happening in Atlantic City, visit: www.visitatlanticcity.com. Our hospitality awaits your arrival. Best of luck as you battle at the Boardwalk!

Sincerely,

Gary Musich President and CEO Visit Atlantic City and Atlantic City Sports Commission

6 JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ Host City

Atlantic City welcomes one and all to the iconic seaside destination, where celebrations live on and inspire visitors to make memories that last a lifetime. Local Community Enhance your Atlantic City experience with the support from the Atlantic City community. Throughout our eclectic 48 Blocks, visitors can discover Atlantic City’s diverse neighborhoods, each rich with art, culture, and a history of its own. The Atlantic City locals continue to lead in the ever-changing destination with missions to celebrate Atlantic City’s authenticity, which is reflected in locally owned businesses and culturally filled events. A must visit is the Orange Loop, which borrows its name from everyone’s favorite board game, Monopoly. Experience three beach blocks of unique restaurants, bars, chocolate, live music, yoga, coffee and more. Tennessee Avenue, St. James Place and New York Avenue await your arrival. Steps from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Dave and Buster’s awaits with fun for the whole family. Eat, drink and play at this iconic venue. Dining Atlantic City’s thriving culinary scene offers diverse cuisine and restaurants in and around the city, from local eateries to renowned dining spots each rich with culture and history catering to every taste and budget. Atlantic City’s restaurants are well equipped to accommodate special events for large or small groups, served in unique spaces. Whether you’re planning a special event or simply indulging your tastebuds, you’ll find cheers-worthy flavors here. Shopping Atlantic City offers a vibrant shopping experience with something for everyone. Tanger Outlets, located in the heart of the city, features over 60 retail outlets with incredible deals on top brands and tax-free shopping on clothing and shoes. The casino resorts elevate shopping with high end stores offering luxury fashion, accessories, and exclusive collectibles. On the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, you’ll find AC staples like salt-water taffy or delicious fudge, souvenir stores and specialty shops. For a local touch, explore nearby communities with charming boutiques and handcrafted goods, perfect for one-of-a-kind finds.

What's New ByrdCage, a new LGBTQ+ owned and operated hotspot has recently opened bringing vibrant energy to the destination’s day and nightlife scene. The ByrdCage features a range of offerings including a lively brunch menu, happy hour specials and nightly dining.

Host Venue: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, located on the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk, is a historic venue known for its stunning Art Deco design, incredible acoustics, and a capacity of over 14,000. Opened in 1929 as America’s first convention center, it has hosted legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and the Beatles, along with iconic events such as the Miss America pageant and major boxing matches. Owned by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and managed by OVG360, the hall seamlessly blends historic charm with modern upgrades to host concerts, sports, and live events.

2025 | HERCULES TIRES MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 7

MAAC COMMISSIONER

TRAVIS TELLITOCCI MAAC Commissioner

Travis Tellitocci (pronounced Tella-toss-see) was named MAAC Commissioner in February of 2023 and his term commenced in May 2023. Tellitocci becomes just the fourth commissioner in the history of the MAAC. Since taking the helm, Tellitocci has overseen significant milestones for the Conference. Under his leadership, the MAAC announced the addition of Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University as full member institutions for the 2024-25 academic year, expanding the Conference to an all-time high of 13 members. As part of his efforts to position the MAAC for sustained success, the Conference completed a comprehensive strategic plan shaped by broad involvement across its member institutions. The process engaged approximately 3,500 stakeholders, including presidents, athletics administrators, student-athletes, faculty, alumni, and donors, through one-on-one conversations, focus groups, and a public survey. This collaborative effort ensured that the plan reflected the collective vision and priorities of the MAAC community.

A major highlight of Tellitocci’s tenure has been the MAAC’s multiyear extension of its media rights agreement with ESPN, further increasing exposure for student-athletes from MAAC member institutions across all of ESPN’s platforms. The agreement ensures that select regular season men’s and women’s basketball games and Olympic sport contests will be featured on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU, while more than 500 MAAC events will stream annually on ESPN+ and the ESPN App. The extension also marks the return of the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship game to a primetime national television window on ESPN or ESPN2 on Tuesday of Champ Week, while the MAAC Women’s Basketball Championship will now be a standalone event on Monday. The Conference has also seen historic success in competition. Fairfield women’s basketball earned a spot in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 poll, ranking No. 25 nationally, marking the first time a MAAC team has been ranked in over a decade. For the first time in conference history, the MAAC sent two teams to the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship, with Niagara earning the automatic qualifier and Fairfield securing the league’s first-ever at-large bid in 2024. Fairfield concluded the 2024 season ranked #23 in the ILWomen/IWLCA National Poll. Tellitocci joined the MAAC from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), where he served as the Assistant Commissioner for Football, Basketball and Officiating for more than six years. Beyond Tellitocci’s role as Assistant Commissioner, while at the OVC, he also was the tournament director for the men’s and women’s basketball championships and the baseball championship. He also served as the tournament manager for the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First and Second Round games at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to his work for the OVC, he also served on the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Competition Committee. Tellitocci brings to the MAAC a breadth of experience that spans professional sports, college athletics, and conference leadership. Early in his career, Tellitocci worked for the New York Mets as the Associate Producer for Scoreboard and Entertainment, before transitioning into college athletics. His appointment as MAAC Commissioner is a homecoming for Tellitocci. Prior to joining the OVC, he served as the Deputy Athletics Director at MAAC member Marist University. While at Marist, he worked with all 23 Division I sports of the college and was responsible for the oversight of the athletics department’s business operations, marketing, media relations, broadcasting, licensing, and ticketing. Tellitocci originally joined the Marist staff as Assistant Athletics Director for External Affairs in 2006, and held a number of positions with growing responsibilities before being named Marist’s Deputy Athletics Director. Tellitocci earned his bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in writing from Marist in 2004. He completed his master’s degree in integrated marketing and communication at Marist in 2014. A Benwood, West Virginia, native, Tellitocci and his wife, Bobbi Sue, are the parents of two sons, Tyler and Hudson and reside in New Jersey.

8 JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

MAAC CHRONOLOGY The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is founded. U.S. Military Academy, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Iona College, Manhattan College, and Saint Peter's College are the charter members, and will begin competition in the fall of 1981.

1980 OCTOBER 1989 FALL 1995 SUMMER 2007 WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022 SPRING 2022 SUMMER 2023 WINTER 2023 FALL 2017 WINTER

Canisius College, Loyola College (MD), Niagara University, and Siena College enter the MAAC to bring the total number of schools to 12, forming the largest conference in the nation at that time. The conference divides itself into two divisions, the North: Army, Canisius, Holy Cross, Fordham, Niagara, and Siena; and the South: Fairfield, Iona, La Salle, Loyola, Manhattan, and Saint Peter's.

MAAC announces that Marist University and Rider University will join the conference as full-time members, no later than the 1997-98 academic year.

Marist earns its third women's basketball league title in four years. The Red Foxes became the first women's program in league history to advance to the Sweet 16, falling to eventual National Champion, Tennessee.

Quinnipiac women’s basketball team makes historic Sweet Sixteen run in the 2017 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Bobcats became the second MAAC women’s basketball team to advance to the Sweet 16 since 2007.

No. 15 seed Saint Peter's men's basketball becomes the first MAAC program (men or women) to advance to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, defeating No. 2 Kentucky (85-79 OT), No. 7 Murray St. (70-60), and No. 3 Purdue (67-64). The Peacocks were also the first ever 15 seed in NCAA history to advance to the Elite Eight.

Mount St. Mary's University accepts invitation to join the MAAC as a full-time member starting in the 2022-23 season; the addition of the Mountaineers put the MAAC membership back to 11 schools for the 2022-23 season with the departure of Monmouth.

Longtime MAAC Commissioner Richard Ensor announces retirement at the conclusion of 2022-23 year, ending the longest NCAA DI multi-sport conference commissioner tenure.

Travis Tellitocci (pronounced Tella-toss-see) named as fourth commissioner in the history of the MAAC.

MAAC announces the addition of Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University as its newest full member institutions. The addition of the two institutions propelled the conference to an all-time membership high of 13 for the 2024-25 academic year.

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THE MAAC STORY

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Story

and III) at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, NJ. In 2026, the MAAC along with Canisius College and Niagara University will host the Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. In March 2018 the MAAC hosted the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Albany Regional with Siena College for the second time since 2015 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. The Albany Regional was the highest attended site out of the four regions with over 20,000 fans in attendance over the two days of competition. During the 2016-17 academic year, the MAAC hosted the NCAA Division I Cross Country Northeast Regional at Van Cortlandt Park with Iona and Manhattan, the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball First & Second Rounds at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY with Canisius and Niagara, which marked the fifth time that all three parties partnered for this same event (2004, 2007, 2010, and 2014), and the 2017 NCAA Division I, II, & III Rowing Championships with the Ivy League at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, NJ. The MAAC, Canisius, and Niagara successfully hosted the 2014 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Second and Third Rounds at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY. The MAAC and Fairfield hosted the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Regional at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. The MAAC and Rider co-hosted the 2012 NCAA Rowing Championships at Lake Mercer in West Windsor, NJ and also co hosted the 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA The MAAC and Rider co-hosted the 2009 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Regional at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ, after recording the third highest attendance figure for the women's championship with the First & Second Rounds in 2006. In March of 2017, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the field of teams for the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic, a college basketball tournament held in conjunction with the MAAC, Sport Changes Life, Rory McIlroy's Foundation, the Rory Foundation, and The SSE Arena, Belfast. The two-day tournament was held December 1-2, 2017 and featured Holy Cross, Manhattan, La Salle, and Towson. After a successful inaugural event, the Sport Changes Life Foundation announced the second annual Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic to be held November 29-December 1. The 2018 event featured an expanded field to eight schools. The schools competed in two four-team brackets, with campus round games in the United States leading into two tournament brackets in Belfast aptly named 'Samson' and 'Goliath' after the iconic Harland and Wolfe cranes in the Titanic quarter shipyard of Belfast. Marist represented the MAAC in the 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic. In June of 1995, the MAAC developed new opportunities for student-athletes as the conference announced the formation of the MAAC Men's and Women's Lacrosse leagues. The men's league began competition in the spring of 1996, while the women's league commenced in the spring of 1997. Since their inception as associate sports leagues, both Men's and Women's Lacrosse have been upgraded to full MAAC sports. The men's league currently consists of six MAAC schools (Canisius, Manhattan, Marist, Monmouth, Quinnipiac, and Siena along with two associate members Detroit Mercy and St. Bonaventure). The women's league features competition among nine MAAC institutions (Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Monmouth, Niagara, Quinnipiac, and Siena). The 2017 Men's Lacrosse Championship game aired on ESPNU and Sirius XM for the first time in history. In the spring of 2014, the MAAC expanded the championship field to six teams in Men's and Women's Soccer, Volleyball, Women's Lacrosse, Softball, and Baseball. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MAAC canceled all spring sport competitions, practices, and other athletic related activities for the remainder of the 2020 Spring semester. Later the decision was made to move the fall 2020 sports into the winter of 2021 providing scaled back schedules and expanded championship formats as the pandemic continued to restrict athletic competition. This was the first time a season of sports competition was ever canceled in the MAAC.

With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 44th year of competition during the 2024-25 academic year. The MAAC 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 followed one year later in the fall of 1981 with members competing in the sports of Men's Cross Country and Men's Soccer. On January 2, 1982, Army traveled to Iona for the first MAAC Men's Basketball game and the MAAC story had begun. Current Conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist University, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary's University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena College. With 13 member schools, the conference is the largest in its 44 year history. The MAAC supports 24 sports and championships during the 2024-25 academic year; in addition, the MAAC champion earns automatic qualification to the NCAA Championship in 15 sports. In addition, associate members include Long Island University, Virginia Military Institute, and Wagner College in Men's Lacrosse. La Salle University, Long Island University, Villanova University, Virginia Military Institute, and Wagner College in Women's Water Polo. Drake University, Jacksonville University, Long Island University, Robert Morris University, and Stetson University compete in Women's Rowing. The University at Albany, is a member in Women's Golf. On June 1, 2018, the MAAC announced that Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ was selected to host the 2020-22 MAAC Men's & Women's Basketball Championships. The MAAC Council of Presidents unanimously accepted the facility's bid to host the championships at their May 30th meeting in New York City. In 2020, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall hosted the MAAC Basketball Championships (ended abruptly due to COVID-19) for the first time in history and the Championships returned to the state of New Jersey for the first time since 2003, when they were played at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. A total of ten MAAC Men's Basketball Championships and six Women's Basketball Championships have been held in New Jersey, including the inaugural event in 1982 at what was the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford. In 2022, the MAAC returned to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, successfully completing the championships with no COVID limitations for the first time since moving to Atlantic City. Saint Peter's men and Fairfield women captured the championship trophies and moved on to the NCAA March Madness field of 68. Saint Peter's would go on to become Cinderella of the tournament, making MAAC and NCAA history along the way. A No. 15 seed, Saint Peter's became the first MAAC program (men or women) to advance to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, defeating No. 2 Kentucky (85-79 OT), No. 7 Murray St. (70-60), and No. 3 Purdue (67-64). The Peacocks were also the first ever 15 seed in NCAA history to advance to the Elite Eight. On March 6, 2023 the MAAC announced that Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall will remain as the host site for the 2024-26 men's and women's basketball Championships. The three-year extension will afford the conference the right to host its annual basketball championships at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in 2024, 2025, and 2026. By having an excellent working relationship with various facilities, and a top reputation for hosting events, the MAAC has been able to be awarded several future NCAA Championships. Alongside Canisius and Niagara, the MAAC successfully hosted the 2022 Men's Basketball First & Second Rounds at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. The MAAC and Siena College hosted the 2023 Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds and are set to host the 2024 Women's Basketball Regionals at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. The MAAC, alongside the Ivy League, was also selected to host the 2025 Women's Rowing Championship Finals (Divisions I, II,

12

JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

THE MAAC STORY

appearance against South Carolina. In 2015, Siena's Women's Basketball team became the first MAAC Women's Basketball program to make it to a postseason championship game. The Saints advanced all the way to the title contest of the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI) where Siena fell to Louisiana-Lafayette. In 2007, the Marist Women's Basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to the eventual National Champion, Tennessee. The Red Foxes have recorded an additional five NCAA wins since their run in 2007. The Saint Peter's Men's Basketball team claimed the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) title, to become the first MAAC program to win a national postseason championship since Siena's Men's Basketball team in 2014. The Saints earned the league's first basketball postseason championship in its history by winning the 2014 College Basketball Invitational (CBI). In 2013, the MAAC had a record six Men's Basketball programs participate in postseason play – Iona (NCAA Championship), Niagara (NIT), Canisius, Fairfield, Loyola, and Rider (CIT). Canisius and Loyola both advanced to the Quarterfinal Round, while Rider reached the second round. In 2012, the MAAC had two teams advance to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship for the first time in 16 years, with Loyola earning the league's automatic bid and Iona garnering an at-large bid. In baseball in 2021, the MAAC received its first at-large selection to a NCAA regional in conference history when Fairfield Baseball earned the third-seed in the Austin Regional. The Stags made it all the way to the Austin Regional Final, defeating fourth-seeded Southern and second-seeded Arizona State. Fairfield began the regular season 28-0 in conference play and finished 39-5 overall. During the spring of 2024, the MAAC earned its first-ever NCAA at-large in women's lacrosse when Fairfield received a bid into the NCAA Tournament field following a 16-2 (9-0 MAAC) season and #22 national ranking. The MAAC has also been a leader in the forefront of technology, expanding the notoriety of the league into cyberspace. In 2017, the league reached a conference wide agreement with SIDEARM Sports (extended in 2020), to design and host the MAAC web page. MAACSports.com has been a great success, providing fans with fresh content, up-to-date results, live and on-demand video, and an online merchandise store. The site was redesigned in the fall of 2021. In September 2011, the conference announced the launch of MAAC.TV, the league's first broadband network. Eight schools (Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Monmouth, Rider, and Saint Peter's) were part of the original network. In May 2014, the MAAC continued to grow its partnership with ESPN by announcing the launch of the MAAC Branded ESPN+/3 Channel. All MAAC and school produced digital contact can be viewed through this channel. In the 2017-18 academic year the MAAC entered into a new eight-year agreement with ESPN and produced a total of 325 events on the ESPN family of networks. The first MAAC events on ESPN+ were men's & women's lacrosse games produced by Monmouth University. The 2018 Baseball Championship was the first MAAC championship to air entirely on ESPN+. As a part of the current MAAC-ESPN partnership ESPN+ will become home to hundreds of MAAC games, championships, and shows that are easily accessible to MAAC fans throughout the country. Under the ESPN agreement, 2019-20 marked the first year that all MAAC institutions will have school production facilities and by the end of 2024-25 the conference and schools will produce over 700 collegiate athletic events and shows on the ESPN family of networks. The MAAC President for the 2024-25 academic year is Judy D. Olian, PhD, President of Quinnipiac University. The Vice-President is Mark R. Nemec, PhD, Commissioner Travis Tellitocci serves as the league's Secretary/Treasurer, John D'Argenio, Vice President/Director of Athletics at Siena College, will chair the Committee on Athletic Administration, and Jamie Fogarty, Senior Associate AD/ Senior Woman Administrator at Iona University, will serve as Vice Chair.

The MAAC Council of Presidents approved bylaws to launch an Esports League and Championships in 2020. The presidents approved Esports as an official MAAC co-ed club sport. The decision came after two years of evaluation and co-sponsorship of events with the ECAC, including the highly successful HV Gamer Con 2019 in Albany, NY. In 2022, the MAAC held its first in-person Esports Championships at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City. Team champions were Iona (Rocket League), Marist (Overwatch and League of Legends), and Quinnipiac (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). Marist was named 2022 Program of the Year. Esports returns to the Showboat Hotel in 2023 as the sports continues to grow at member schools. Academics and Athletics The MAAC prides itself on the accomplishments of its student-athletes in the classroom, as well as on the field, Mary Beth Riley, a 1991 graduate of Canisius, was the first recipient of the NCAA Woman the Year Award. In the fall of 1998, Erin Whalen, a member of the Iona Women's Rowing team, was awarded one of the nation's 32 Rhodes Scholarships for academic achievement and civic leadership. MAAC student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom at high rates. The NCAA announced the latest four-year Academic Progress Rates (APR) and 40 MAAC teams achieved perfect APR scores (1,000) – 28 women's and 12 men's, while 5 league sports saw an increase in their average rate from the 2020-21 report, while 10 MAAC sports posted rates above or equal to the national average. According to the 2021-22 data, the MAAC was led by a trio of institutions which all had six teams earning a perfect mark. The three schools included Fairfield University, Marist University, and Siena College. Quinnipiac University followed with five teams recording perfect scores. Three conference programs recorded three flawless scores and they included Manhattan College, Mount St. Mary's University, and Niagara University. Iona University and Rider University registered two teams with a score of 1,000, while Canisius College had one squad with a perfect tally. A trio of associate member teams achieved perfect scores additionally, which featured Jacksonville University (Women's Rowing), Loyola University Chicago (Women's Golf), and Villanova University (Women's Water Polo). Women's lacrosse had the highest MAAC multiyear average at 994. The largest improvement on the men's side was tennis (+9), while women's swimming (+1) and women's volleyball (+1) had the highest jump on the women's side. Overall, the MAAC's four-year average improved from last year's report, jumping to 984, which ranked tied for ninth nationally amongst the other 32 Division I conferences. First-class facilities are the standard within the MAAC, as teams regularly play in top-notch arenas, such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, MassMutual Center, KeyBank Center, MVP Arena (former Times Union Center), Webster Bank Arena, Mohegan Sun Arena, and Sun National Bank Center. In October of 2022, the MAAC announced three-year partnerships with Clover Stadium for the MAAC Baseball Championship and SPIRE Academy for the MAAC Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships. The Clover Stadium agreement made Pomona, NY the home of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 MAAC Baseball Championships. The SPIRE partnership made Geneva, OH the host site for the MAAC Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships for 2024, 2025, and 2026. In the past several years, several the MAAC schools have enjoyed success in national postseason play. Saint Peter's Men's Basketball made March Madness history in 2022 when they became the first ever 15-seed and MAAC Men's Basketball program to reach the Elite Eight. The Peacocks defeated second-seeded Kentucky, seventh-seeded Murray State, and third-seeded Purdue on their historic run. In 2018, Quinnipiac Women's Basketball picked up its third NCAA Tournament win in the last two years. The Bobcats defeated Miami in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to No. 1 UConn in the Second Round. In 2017, Quinnipiac won its first NCAA Championship game in program history and became the first MAAC women's basketball program to advance to the Sweet 16 since Marist in 2007. The Bobcats defeated Marquette and Miami en route to their Sweet 16

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OPERATING STRUCTURE

Operating Structure

JUDY D. OLIAN, PHD PRESIDENT OF QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY, MAAC PRESIDENT

has expanded the University’s reach to learners of all ages, emphasizing: innovation, the launch of new graduate and professional programs, and the fostering of industry and community partnerships to strengthen the University’s reputation as a leader in contemporary higher education. In particular, since 2018 Fairfield has launched successful online graduate programs in business, nursing, education, engineering and the arts and social sciences to complement its on-campus programs. In addition, Fairfield has expanded to provide business graduate programs to students in China and India, and recently opened a satellite campus in Austin, TX to provide graduate nursing programs to meet a regional nursing shortage in that area. Under Dr. Nemec’s stewardship, the University’s Ignatian commitment to provide access to education to traditionally underserved communities has also expanded. In addition to significantly increasing need-based financial aid, the University’s Company Scholars program offers full funding and enhanced programing to a select first-generation, Jesuit high school and Cristo Rey graduates. And in partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport Fairfield has established Fairfield Bellarmine, a campus in Bridgeport that offers no-cost associate’s degree program for traditionally underserved high school graduates, offering a pathway to a four-year degree. President Nemec also led the largest capital campaign in University history, exceeding an original goal of $160 million to raise a total of $218 million to benefit the University. The fulfillment of a University master plan to enhance the campus environment under his stewardship has brought new, and has included the completion of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business facility, the School of Engineering and Computing Innovation Annex, the Barnyard Townhouses and the Leo D. Mahoney Arena amongst others. A graduate of Loyola High School, Jesuit College Preparatory in Los Angeles, President Nemec earned a BA in English from Yale, where he was an All-Ivy League rugby player. He received an MA in education and a PhD in political science from the University of Michigan. Early in his career, he taught American politics as a visiting assistant professor at Davidson College, and as an instructor at the University of Michigan. Prior to joining Fairfield, Dr. Nemec served as the dean of the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies at the University of Chicago. Before joining the University of Chicago, Dr. Nemec served as president and chief executive officer of Eduventures, a Boston-based information services firm providing research and advice to the higher education community. He previously had been a member of the executive team of Forrester Research, a provider of similar services to the technology industry. Dr. Nemec is the author of Ivory Towers and Nationalist Minds: Universities, Leadership, and the Development of the American State (University of Michigan Press, 2006), and a contributor to The Educational Legacy of Woodrow Wilson (University of Virginia Press, 2012). Dr. Nemec serves as Chair of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges and Vice Chair of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Council of Presidents. He also serves on the Educational Resources Committee of Loyola High School, and is a fellow of Timothy Dwight College of Yale University. For his and the university’s commitment to educational access, he has been honored with Brooklyn Jesuit Prep’s Sister Thea Bowman Award, Cristo Rey New York’s Ensuring our Future Award as well as the Archdiocese of Bridgeport’s Foundations in Education Award.

Judy D. Olian, PhD, became the 9th president of Quinnipiac University in 2018. With expertise in management and leadership, she has held leadership positions in higher education institutions including most recently at UCLA, and prior to that at The Pennsylvania State University. Born and raised in Australia, Olian received her BS in psychology from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and her MS and PhD in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She

chaired AACSB, the premier accrediting body for business schools globally, and is currently a member of several non-profit boards serving the State of Connecticut, healthcare, and marginalized students, and is also on the boards of publicly traded companies. She has been at multiple universities where Division I sports flourish.

MARK R. NEMEC, PHD PRESIDENT OF FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY, MAAC VICE PRESIDENT

On July 1, 2017 Mark R. Nemec, PhD, became the 9th Ignatian and first lay President of Fairfield University. Working with his senior leadership team, constituents across campus, and the University’s alumni and civic communities, President Nemec has positioned Fairfield to be a modern, Jesuit Catholic University of national prominence — committed to lifelong learning, holistic formation, expansive partnership and advancing educational access. Under President Nemec’s leadership, Fairfield has renewed its commitment to the nearly 500-year-old traditions of

Jesuit pedagogy, with an emphasis on care for the whole student. This values based, student-centric, outcomes-focused approach is designed to form men and women who will live and work for and with others, in pursuit of societal stewardship and productive citizenship. At the same time, he has led the University through a course of expansion and innovation designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and

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OPERATING STRUCTURE

JOHN D’ARGENIO VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AT SIENA COLLEGE, CHAIR - COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION

NCAA Women’s Basketball Albany Super Regional in March 2024. D'Argenio currently serves as the chair of both the MAAC Committee of Athletic Administration (COAA) and the MAAC Men’s Soccer Committee, and is also a member of the MAAC Strategic Planning Committee and the MAAC Marketing & TV Committee, as well as the Albany County Sports Commission. He has previously served as the chair of the MAAC Baseball and Men’s Basketball Committees, as well as a member of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee and the NACDA I-AAA ADA Executive Committee. D'Argenio earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Dayton in 1982 and a master's of science degree from North Dakota State University in 1985. He is a native of Rome, NY

John D'Argenio was appointed director of athletics on April 21, 1993, after serving as the acting director of athletics for the 1992-93 academic year. He is the second longest tenured athletic director in Division I at the same institution as of December 2023, trailing only Joe Sterrett of Lehigh University (33 years). On January 27, 2014, he was promoted to Vice President at Siena College and asked to join the President's Cabinet. Many new initiatives have been set forth and much progress has been made in the athletic department during D'Argenio's tenure.

JAMIE FOGARTY SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR/SENIOR WOMAN ADMINISTRATOR AT IONA UNIVERSITY, VICE CHAIR - COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION

In 1996, D'Argenio was instrumental in negotiating Siena's agreement with the County of Albany and Times Union Center (formerly Pepsi Arena) to move all of the College's men's home basketball games to the downtown facility. The move to the state-of-the-art downtown Albany facility culminated in Siena and the Arena signing a five-year contract and most recently an extension through 2025. Since the move, the men's basketball team has seen its attendance rank inside the top-100 nationally for the past 25 seasons and consistently rank as one of the top Northeast mid-majors and one of the top schools in the state of New York. Siena posted its highest attendance average in 11 seasons (6,415) during the 2022-23 campaign. Athletics is one of four pillars in the College's newest strategic plan: Leading The Way – which was rolled out in 2022. Recent athletic improvements overseen by D’Argenio in order to fulfill initiatives laid out by Siena’s strategic plan included a large-scare renovation of the then-Alumni Recreation Center and the construction of an enclosed 8,360 square foot practice court for the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Siena Athletics announced a naming rights deal with UHY Advisors in 2021 to brand the department’s on-campus playing facility as the “UHY Center”. The Department’s newest significant on-campus addition is the Bob Guido ’68 Athletic Academic Center: a 2,200 square foot state-of-the art facility located in the Marcelle Athletic Complex that provides an enhanced learning environment for Siena’s student athletes, which opened in May 2022. Siena teams have enjoyed conference-wide as well as regional and national success. The Saints have won 47 MAAC team championships under D'Argenio's direction, the most recent coming when both men’s golf (fifth) and men’s tennis (first) took home MAAC titles on April 23, 2023. Individually, Siena’s cross country and track programs combined for six individual championships over three seasons during the 2022-23 school year, while Siena Swimming & Diving’s Talia Spenziero captured the 2023 MAAC One-Meter Diving Championship. In 1995, D'Argenio served as Tournament Director for the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship First and Second Rounds at Knickerbocker Arena. He again assumed those duties in March of 2003, as Siena served as the host institution for the men's basketball East (Albany) Regional at Pepsi Arena after co-hosting the NCAA wrestling National Championships in March of 2002. Siena joined with the MAAC to play host to NCAA Women’s Basketball Regionals in 2015, 2018 and 2019. The Saints have hosted numerous NIT and Women's NIT games as well, including a remarkable six in 2003. Recently, D’Argenio served at the Tournament Director for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship’s return to Albany to First and Second Rounds at MVP Arena in 2023, and will hold the same capacity during the 2024

Jamie Fogarty enters her 30th year as a member of the Iona University athletics department in 2024-25. It is her 30th year as an administrator and 18th as Senior Woman Administrator and chief compliance officer. In her role as a zSenior Associate Athletic Director, Fogarty oversees all NCAA, MAAC, and institutional policies and regulations. She is responsible for the scheduling of Iona's athletic contests and oversees the distribution of financial aid for the student-athletes and determines their initial and continuing eligibility.

In addition to her compliance work, Fogarty also oversees the performance and development of Iona's Student-Athlete Academic Center located in the Hynes Center East. During the 2023-24 school year, Fogarty serves her second stint (2005-06) as a vice chair of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Committee on Athletic Administration. She has also served as the on-site administrator for several MAAC Championships that have been hosted at Iona University. As senior women's administrator, Fogarty is responsible for overseeing all of the women's athletic programs and serves as an advisor and mentor to the women's coaching staffs. A 1995 graduate of Iona, Fogarty was a student-worker in the athletics department before being awarded a graduate assistantship in the academic advisor's office. She received her master's degree in education from Iona in 1997 and was immediately hired as the Academic Advisor for Student-Athletes. While she worked in the academic advisor's office, she helped steward the almost 400 Division I student-athletes through the rigors of academic life.

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