Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rebranding to ‘Metro Conference’

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is out. The Metro Conference is in.

Starting July 1 of this year, the 46-year-old league made up of 13 schools in the Northeast is being rebranded, the result of an initiative that began in 2023 with the goal of establishing a more modern identity.

“The goal of this project was to establish a bold and clear identity that eliminated longstanding confusion surrounding the Conference’s name,” said MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. “Throughout this process, we wanted to create a brand that better positions the Conference for the future while still honoring the tradition and foundation that have defined this league for the past 45 years. We are excited about this next chapter and the future of the Metro Conference.”

The conference has often been confused with the Mid-American Conference, also known as the MAC, which was founded in 1946. The MAC also has 13 schools, 11 of which are in the Midwest. Adding to the confusion, both conferences have teams in Buffalo, New York: Canisius in the MAAC and the University at Buffalo in the MAC.

Creative agency Joe Bosack & Co. was tapped to lead the brand repositioning project alongside the conference’s Technology & Digital Marketing Committee. The new name aspires to create a new identity for media platforms, recruiting and apparel. The new logo includes a two-color palette, down from five, as well as a modern wordmark. More branding elements will be introduced in the future, including championship marks, and a new website.

“The Metro, its member schools, and its student athletes have an updated brand identity that reflects a great history and a promising future,” said Joe Bosack, founder and creative director at Joe Bosack & Co.

“As we introduce the Metro, we embrace a name that reflects both our geographic connection along the Northeast Corridor and the shared values that unite our member institutions,” said MAAC Council of Presidents Chair Dr. Mark Nemec. “The Metro is deeply student-centric in its vision, celebrating academic achievement, personal growth, and competitive excellence. The new brand represents a collective commitment to preparing student-athletes for success in the classroom, in competition, and in their future endeavors.”

The current members of the conference are 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.

In February the conference announced a deal with Atlantic City to keep its men’s basketball conference tournament in that town through 2031, which will make 11 consecutive years that it was held there.

From 1975 to 1995 there was a Metro Collegiate Athletic Conference known as the Metro that was made up of a number of powerhouse schools from more urban locations, including Louisville, Florida State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina and Cincinnati. It ultimately evolved into Conference USA.