The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced a partnership with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) to oversee and manage its esports sponsorship, which is entering its sixth year during the 2024-25 academic year. The NECC, one of the largest collegiate esports conferences in North America, was selected to ensure safe, fair, and competitive play among the MAAC’s member institutions.
“We are excited to partner with the NECC to enhance the Conference's esports experience for our students,” said MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci.
“Esports continues to grow in popularity across our campuses, and this partnership will provide us with the expertise and support needed to ensure competitive play in a structured environment. We look forward to collaborating with NECC Commissioner Jacob VanRyn and his staff to provide a dynamic platform for our students to build new connections and experiences."
The collaboration between the MAAC and the NECC officially launched earlier this month with the beginning of the regular season.
The goal of the partnership is to create an environment that supports student-athletes’ esports competition and provides them with an enhanced competitive experience.
The MAAC will sponsor five titles - League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., and Valorant - and will crown a conference champion in each at the end of the year.
"It’s been tremendous getting to know more about the MAAC’s sponsorship of esports and the important role it plays for the conference’s membership,” said Jacob VanRyn, Commissioner and CEO of the NECC.
“I’d like to thank Commissioner Travis Tellitocci, Senior Associate Commissioner, Sport Administration Whitney Swab, and Assistant Director Brooke Timinski for their support, guidance, and feedback throughout this process. We are extremely excited to support one of the premier NCAA Division I Conferences and work with the member institutions on this effort."
The MAAC will use LeagueOS to serve as its competitive platform.
"It's an honor and a thrill to be supporting the MAAC programs in this manner," said LeagueOS CEO and co-founder Marty Wetherall. "We represent the fans and we’re here to support each of the MAAC’s esports programs. We'll be rooting right along with them as the season unfolds on the MAAC Esports LeagueOS site." (https://maac.leagueos.gg/)
ABOUT 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.
Current Conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan University, Marist College, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary's University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena College. 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.
The MAAC prides itself on the accomplishments of its student-athletes in the classroom, as well as on the field.
ABOUT THE NECC
The NECC fosters innovative competition experiences, provides quality broadcasting services, and works to support an inclusive community within collegiate esports. The NECC was started to provide the collegiate gaming community with the respect it warranted and deserved. The conference prides itself on responding to the needs of its schools, directors, coaches, and most importantly - its players.
With more than 500 colleges and universities currently competing, the NECC strives to be a positive home for the collegiate gaming community.
For more information about the NECC, their schools, games, and community, visit their website at https://necc.gg/
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