MAAC_Program_2026_V11_Pages

MARCH 5-10

JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL @MAACHOOPS MAACSPORTS.COM

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CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION Welcome Letters...........................................5 MAAC Commissioner..................................10 MAAC Chronology.......................................11 Operating Structure...................................12 The MAAC Story...........................................14 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................................90

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 Sacred Heart University...................61 Saint Peter’s University...................62 Siena University................................63

WOMEN'S TEAMS Fairfield University............................67 Iona University..................................68 Manhattan University.......................69 Marist University...............................70 Merrimack College...........................71 Mount St. Mary's University.............72 Quinnipiac University.......................73 Sacred Heart University..................74 Saint Peter’s University...................75 Siena University................................76

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@JASPERSMBB, @MANHATTAN_WBB #GOJASPERS, #JASPERNATION, #PLAYGREEN

@QU_MBB, @QU_WBB, #BEGREATTODAY, #BOBCATNATION

@MARISTATHLETICS, @MARISTMBB, @MARISTWBB, #FEARLESSFOXES, #PAINTITRED

@RIDERATHLETICS, @RIDERMBB, @RIDERWBB #BRONCSTOTHEBOARDWALK, #GOBRONCS

The official 2026 Air Force Reserve MAAC Basketball Championships Program is published by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and GO Agency.

MAAC STAFF Commissioner..............................................................................................Travis Tellitocci Senior Associate Commissioner, Basketball .................................... Jordan Confessore Senior Associate Commissioner, Sport Administration/SWA ������������������Whitney Swab Senior Associate Commissioner, External Affairs .....................................Macall Martin Associate Commissioner, Compliance & Student-Athlete Development AJ Schaufler Associate Commissioner, External Affairs/Sr. Minority Administrator Hamilton Cook Assistant Commissioner, Business & Administration....................... Kristine Monaghan Assistant Commissioner, Sport Administration ............................................Caitlin Lowe Director, Marketing & Communications .............................................Francesca Moore 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 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 Director of Sales, Van Wagner College...................................................... Bryan Schwab .... ...... 800 Third Ave. 28 th Fl., New York, NY 10022 • 212.699.8400

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

WELCOME LETTERS

March 5, 2026

MAAC Basketball Fans,

On behalf of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), I'd like to welcome you to Atlantic City and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the 2026 MAAC Basketball Championships! This marks the seventh year that the men’s and women’s basketball championships will be held in Atlantic City. For 45 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 four 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), Visit Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Sports Commission, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, 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 our title sponsor, Air Force Reserve, and all our corporate partners for their continued commitment to the MAAC and the basketball championships. 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 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 Friday, March 6 for the women’s basketball quarterfinal session. 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. 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

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 5

WELCOME LETTERS

March 5, 2026 Dear MAAC Student-Athletes, Families, Coaches, and Fans,

On behalf of the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA), we are pleased to welcome you to Atlantic City and historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the 2026 MAAC Basketball Championship. We are proud to host this tournament once again and value our continued partnership with the MAAC. We commend the dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship of the student athletes competing in this championship, and we thank the many partners who help make this event possible. Our building management team, Oak View Group, is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and first-class environment throughout the tournament. Whether you are returning to Atlantic City or visiting for the first time, we invite you to enjoy all that our destination has to offer beyond the court, including world-class accommodations, dining, shopping, attractions, and entertainment. For a full listing of events and activities, please visit www. visitatlanticcity.com. We wish all participants the best of luck and hope your time in Atlantic City is both enjoyable and memorable.

Sincerely,

Eric Scheffler Executive Director Casino Reinvestment Development Authority

March 5, 2026 Welcome to the 2026 Air Force Reserve Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. We are honored to once again serve as host for this prestigious event and to welcome the MAAC’s member institutions, student athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans to Atlantic City. Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is proud of its longstanding tradition of hosting premier sporting and entertainment events, and the MAAC Basketball Championships continue to be a valued part of that legacy. Each year, this tournament showcases the highest level of competition, sportsmanship, and commitment, as 20 men’s and women’s teams compete for the conference championship and the opportunity to advance to the NCAA Tournament. We thank you for joining us this week and for allowing us to highlight not only our historic facility, but also the many world-class amenities and experiences that Atlantic City has to offer. To the student athletes and coaches, we extend our best wishes for success throughout the championships. We hope you enjoy your time here, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for future events.

Sincerely,

Jim McDonald General Manager Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall

6 JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

WELCOME LETTERS

March 5, 2026 Welcome to the 2026 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 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

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 7

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VISIT ATLANTIC CITY

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ Host City

Nestled between the land and sea, Atlantic City is more than just a seaside destination, it’s where memory-making moments are created and celebrated. From its iconic past to its vibrant present, the city by the sea blends rich history with modern appeal, offering the perfect backdrop for celebrations big and small. Local Community Rooted in creativity and connection, Atlantic City invites all to experience its vibrant local spirit. From the historic Ducktown neighborhood to the lively Orange Loop, the city’s arts scene, diverse culinary offerings, and cultural celebrations immerse visitors and locals alike in its dynamic atmosphere. Whether admiring one of the 100+ murals or dining at a locally owned restaurant, each neighborhood showcases the eclectic community that makes Atlantic City truly memorable. Attractions and Experiences Come for the views, stay for the experiences on the world-famous Atlantic City beach and Boardwalk. As the world’s longest Boardwalk, this iconic wooden landmark stretches five miles along the Atlantic coastline, inviting visitors to explore a timeless seaside treasure. Discover top offerings like classic Boardwalk treats, luxury beachfront dining, and vibrant nightlife and entertainment, along with must-visit attractions such as the historic Steel Pier, North Beach Mini Golf & Bike Rentals, Lucky Snake Arcade, and ISLAND Waterpark - the largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world, and so much more. Just steps away, the free Atlantic City Beach offers the perfect setting to soak up the sun, take a refreshing dip, or enjoy a peaceful sunset stroll. Dining Indulge in the city’s diverse culinary scene offering a mix of eclectic flavors and cheers-worthy cuisine. From celebrity chef restaurants to hidden gems loved by locals, there’s a table for every tastebud and occasion. Atlantic City’s restaurants are well equipped to accommodate special events for large or small groups, served in unique spaces.

What's New Debuting March 2026, experience Atlantic City’s diverse and vibrant dining scene during Taste Atlantic City! Indulge in tiered menus, exclusive dining experiences, and special events throughout March. With flavors spanning every cuisine, it is the perfect time to explore the city’s diverse food scene with unbeatable prices.

Host Venue: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is a premier sports and entertainment venue located on the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. Opened in 1929 as America’s first convention center, the historic arena features a seating capacity of over 14,000 and has hosted legendary artists such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen, along with championship boxing and nationally televised sporting events. Owned by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and managed by OVG, Boardwalk Hall blends historic character with modern amenities to deliver a world-class live event experience.

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 9

MAAC COMMISSIONER

TRAVIS TELLITOCCI MAAC Commissioner

Travis Tellitocci (pronounced Tella-toss-see) began his tenure as Commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in May 2023, becoming just the fourth commissioner in Conference history. Since taking the helm, Tellitocci has guided the MAAC through a period of meaningful momentum and strategic growth. Under his leadership, the Conference welcomed Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University as full members beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, expanding the MAAC to an all-time high of 13 institutions. To position the Conference for sustained success in a rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape, Tellitocci led the development of a comprehensive strategic plan shaped by extensive input from across its member institutions. Nearly 3,500 stakeholders contributed to the process, ensuring the plan reflects the collective vision and priorities of the MAAC community.

A signature achievement of Tellitocci’s tenure has been the MAAC’s multiyear media rights extension with ESPN, expanding national exposure for student athletes across all ESPN platforms. The agreement features select regular season men’s and women’s basketball games and Olympic sport contests on ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU, and more than 500 events streaming annually on ESPN+ and the ESPN App. The agreement also marked the return of the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship game to a primetime national television slot on ESPN or ESPN2 on Tuesday of Champ Week, with the Women’s Basketball Championship highlighted as a standalone broadcast on Monday. He also secured regional broadcast partnerships with SportsNet New York (SNY) and New England Sports Network (NESN), expanding the Conference’s exposure across key Northeast media markets and complementing its national package on ESPN’s platforms. Under Tellitocci’s leadership, the MAAC earned national recognition as one of only three conferences in the country named a C.A.R.E. Model Champion by the Knight Commission for connecting athletics revenue to the educational model of college sports. The Conference received the inaugural $25,000 Knight Commission C.A.R.E. Model Grant in 2024-25, followed by an additional $10,000 grant in 2025-26. These grants supported the launch of the MAAC’s inaugural Assistant Coaches Academy, expanding professional development and networking opportunities for assistant coaches across its member institutions. Tellitocci has successfully negotiated and secured premier venues for MAAC Championships across multiple sports. He signed a five-year agreement with Atlantic City, establishing the longest-term and most significant host-site partnership in MAAC Basketball Championships history. He also extended the partnership with Walt Disney World Resort and Arnold Palmer Golf Management, ensuring the return of the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships to Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. Additionally, he finalized a three-year agreement with Heritage Financial Park in Fishkill, New York, to host the MAAC Baseball Championship, renewing the partnership with the Hudson Valley Renegades, an affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Conference has also seen historic success in competition. Fairfield women’s basketball earned a No. 25 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, marking the first time a MAAC team has been nationally ranked in more than a decade. In 2024, the Conference made history by sending two teams to the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship for the first time, as Niagara secured the automatic qualifier and Fairfield earned the MAAC’s first-ever at-large bid. Fairfield concluded the season ranked No. 23 in the ILWomen/IWLCA National Poll. Academically, the MAAC continues to rank among the nation’s top Division I conferences. In 2025, the Conference posted a 94 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR), tied for third among all 32 NCAA Division I conferences alongside the ACC and Patriot League, trailing only the Ivy League (98%) and Atlantic 10 (95%). Tellitocci brings extensive experience across professional sports, collegiate athletics, and conference leadership. He joined the MAAC from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), where he spent more than six years as Assistant Commissioner for Football, Basketball, and Officiating. During his tenure, the OVC emerged as a multi-bid league in men’s basketball, highlighted by Belmont and Murray State earning NCAA Tournament berths and securing first-round victories in 2019. While at the OVC, Tellitocci served as tournament director for the men’s and women’s basketball championships and the baseball championship, and as tournament manager for the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. He also served on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Competition Committee. Prior to his time at the OVC, Tellitocci was Deputy Athletics Director at MAAC member Marist University. He worked with all 23 Division I programs and oversaw business operations, marketing, media relations, broadcasting, licensing, and ticketing. Tellitocci began at Marist in 2006 as Assistant Athletics Director for External Affairs and progressively took on expanded leadership responsibilities, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Athletics Director. Tellitocci began his professional career with the New York Mets as Associate Producer for Scoreboard and Entertainment before transitioning into college athletics. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from Marist University in 2004 and completed his master’s degree in integrated marketing and communication at Marist in 2014. A native of Benwood, West Virginia, Tellitocci and his wife, Bobbi Sue, are the parents of two sons, Tyler and Hudson. The family resides in New Jersey.

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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 WINTER 2023 2023 FALL WINTER 2025 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.

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.

MAAC and ESPN agree to multiyear media rights extension. With the new agreement, the Men's Basketball Championship returns to a primetime slot on ESPN/ESPN2.

VIEW FULL CHRONOLOGY

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 11

OPERATING STRUCTURE

Operating Structure

MARK R. NEMEC, PHD PRESIDENT OF FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY, CHAIR OF THE MAAC COUNCIL PRESIDENTS On July 1, 2017 Mark R. Nemec, PhD, became the 9th Ignatian and first lay President of Fairfield University.

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 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.

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 21 st century, and 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

CHUCK SEIFERT PRESIDENT OF SIENA UNIVERSITY, VICE CHAIR OF THE MAAC COUNCIL PRESIDENTS

Charles ‘Chuck’ Seifert was elected by the Board of Trustees and announced as the 13 th president of Siena University on December 2, 2022. He began his term on June 1, 2023 and was officially inaugurated on September 21, 2023. Seifert most recently served as dean of the School of Business at Siena (2014 2019, 2020 present). He was the interim vice president for academic affairs from 2019-2020; founder and executive director

of Siena’s Institute for Leadership Development (2009-2014); department chair of Marketing and Management (2004-2007); and assistant dean of the School of Business from 1997-1998. In addition to his administrative work, Seifert has taught at Siena for decades. He originally came to campus as a visiting faculty member in 1996, and was promoted up through the academic ranks in the Management department, achieving full professorship in 2007. He taught as an adjunct at several other Capital Region colleges prior to joining Siena’s faculty. Prior to entering academia Seifert had a successful career in banking and finance in the Capital Region. He served as chief financial officer of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce from 1994-1996, and served as a vice president of Evergreen Bank and a manager at First American Bank. Seifert holds a B.A. in economics from the University at Buffalo, an MBA in finance from Sage Graduate School, and a Ph.D., in organizational studies with a specialization in leadership from the University at Albany.

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JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

OPERATING STRUCTURE

MATTHEW GLOVASKI DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AT IONA UNIVERSITY, CHAIR - COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION

Iona has also positioned itself proactively in the Name, Image, and Likeness space through a partnership with Opendorse to launch the Gael NIL Marketplace, while the Gaels Nation NIL Collective engages alumni, businesses, and supporters to create meaningful opportunities for student-athletes. Prior to becoming Director of Athletics, Glovaski served as Deputy Director of Athletics, Senior Associate AD for Advancement and External Affairs, and lead administrator for Internal Affairs. He began at Iona in 2005-06 as Assistant AD for Recreation and Intramurals after previous roles at Harvard University and Springfield College. A 2001 graduate of Springfield College, Glovaski earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education and later completed a Master of Education in Athletics Administration in 2005. A former four-year baseball letterwinner and 1999 All-Conference selection, he resides in Connecticut with his wife, Christy, and their three sons. DEBBIE GREGORY SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS FOR INTERNAL OPERATIONS, BUSINESS AND FINANCE/SWA AT SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY , VICE CHAIR - COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION Debbie Gregory started at Saint Peter’s University in October, 2015. She is in her tenth year at Saint Peter's as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations, Business and Finance/SWA. She is responsible for internal operations, budgeting, travel, procurement, AP/AR, and ticketing at Saint Peter’s. The preparation of the NCAA Financials as well as the EADA fall under her position. She is the sports administrator for Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field as well as Men’s Soccer. Her position is also the HR liaison for Athletics. Gregory came to Saint Peter’s from Manhattan College where she served as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Finance. While in Riverdale for 18 years, Gregory was responsible for monitoring, tracking and controlling the Department’s financial affairs, including accounts payable and receivable, individual team budgets and athletic financial aid. Gregory also was in charge of all team and administrative travel and all purchasing for the athletic department. She represented Manhattan on several conference committees, including the MAAC Men's Lacrosse Committee and Financial Committee. A native of Yonkers, NY, Gregory graduated from The Berkeley School in White Plains, NY. She also worked for the American Broadcasting Company and IBM out of The Berkeley School. Gregory resides in Kearny, NJ and she has four sons and ten grandchildren.

Matthew Glovaski was named Iona University’s 10 th Director of Athletics on May 8, 2018, and enters his eighth year leading the Gaels in 2025-26. He is in his 21st year overall as an athletics administrator at Iona. Glovaski’s tenure has been defined by competitive success, academic achievement, strategic program growth, and enhanced support for student

athletes. He currently oversees the largest student-athlete population in school history, with more than 500 competing across 26 NCAA Division I programs. Under his leadership, Iona has captured 21 MAAC Championships and eight regular-season titles, along with 29 national championship appearances by teams or individuals. Men’s cross country has won eight consecutive MAAC titles during his tenure, extending its conference championship streak to an NCAA-record 35 straight. Women’s cross country secured four consecutive league crowns from 2018 through 2021. Men’s soccer earned the first two MAAC Championships in program history in 2019 and 2024. Volleyball won its second league title in 2018. Men’s basketball claimed MAAC Championships in 2019, 2021, and 2023, while women’s basketball captured its second crown in 2023. Men’s golf added conference titles in 2019 and 2021. Academically, Iona student-athletes have consistently excelled, recording department-wide GPAs above 3.00 across multiple semesters and placing a record number of student-athletes on the MAAC Academic Honor Roll. In the community, Gael student-athletes contribute nearly 7,500 hours of service annually, underscoring the department’s commitment to leadership and engagement. Glovaski has also overseen significant program expansion. During his tenure, Iona added men’s lacrosse, women’s acrobatics and tumbling, and women’s golf, while reinstating men’s and women’s tennis for the first time since 2003. Acrobatics and tumbling was introduced as an emerging sport and earned NCAA championship status beginning in 2026-27. Facility enhancements have accompanied this growth. A six-million-dollar renovation of the Hynes Athletics Center included upgrades to seating, lighting, sound, flooring, infrastructure, and scoreboards, as well as the creation of the Arrigoni Hall of Excellence. Additional improvements include expansion of the varsity weight room, installation of a fueling station, renovated administrative and basketball office space, a new film room and conference space, and upgraded locker rooms. On the Bronxville Campus, new and enhanced training and competition areas were developed for acrobatics and tumbling, baseball, golf, and tennis. Glovaski also serves as Chair of the MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration for the 2025-26 academic year. Fundraising has reached record levels under his leadership. The 2025 Five to Fight campaign set a program benchmark with 959 donors, the highest total in department history, generating significant support for scholarships, facilities, and student-athlete resources.

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 13

THE MAAC STORY

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Story

in Albany, NY. The MAAC, alongside the Ivy League, was also selected to host the 2025 Women's Rowing Championship Finals (Divisions I, II, 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 45 th year of competition during the 2025-26 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 University. With 13 member schools, the conference is the largest in its 44 year history. The MAAC supports 24 sports and championships during the 2025-26 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 30 th 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. In October of 2024, the MAAC announced a new 10-team format for its Men's & Women's Basketball Championships beginning with the 2025 Championship. This marked the first time in the league’s 44-year history, that the championship will not include every conference team. 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

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JIM WHELAN BOARDWALK HALL | ATLANTIC CITY

THE MAAC STORY

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. In March 2025, the MAAC and ESPN announced a multiyear extension of their media rights agreement. The new agreement, which begin in the 2025-26 academic year, was highlighted by the return of the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship game to a primetime slot in a prominent national television window on ESPN/ESPN2 on Tuesday of Champ Week. Additionally, the MAAC Women’s Basketball Championship moved to a standalone event on Monday, available on ESPNU or ESPN+. The MAAC Chair for the 2025-26 academic year is Mark R. Nemec, PhD, President of Fairfield University. The Vice Chair is Charles 'Chuck' Seifert, PhD, President of Siena College. Commissioner Travis Tellitocci serves as the league's Secretary/Treasurer. Matthew Glovaski, Iona University Director of Athletics, will Chair the Committee on Athletics Administration, and Debbie Gregory, Saint Peter's University Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations, Business and Finance/Senior Woman Administrator, 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 mAK The three schools included Fairfield University, Marist College, 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 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

2026 | AIR FORCE RESERVE MAAC MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 15