MAAC Announces 35th Anniversary Marketing Initiatives
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. - The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will enter its 35th year of operations and its continued mission to provide for excellence in academics and athletics during the 2015-16 season. In celebrating the anniversary, the MAAC will be unveiling multiple events and initiatives for its 35th Anniversary beginning on July 1.
“When MAAC Commissioner Jim McDermott first launched MAAC operations, he envisioned a conference where traditional rivals and their fans could enjoy collegiate sports and gain access to NCAA Championships,” notes current MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “He would be very proud of what his initial efforts accomplished with the league now sponsoring 25 sports and having access to 15 NCAA automatic bids or regional qualifying championships. Congratulations to the administrators and coaches who have provided generations of student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful in the classroom and in life.”
The MAAC will kickoff its marketing initiatives with the unveiling of the 35th Anniversary commemorative logo and branding program rollout. The league will continue its partnership with Phoenix Design Works with the launch of the branding program. The official branding program for the conference will consist of the official 35th Anniversary logo and multiple championship logo marks that will be used for all marketing collateral during the academic year. The logo will play a key role in the maaacsports.com site redesign, the MAAC ESPN television package, institutional broadcast, and social media platforms. Additionally, the logos will be featured on all MAAC programs, merchandise, and championship gear.
Also planned for the upcoming season will be a social media awareness campaign for the anniversary. The MAAC will run several initiatives on its social media platforms which will include a #TBT (throw back Thursday) every Thursday during the season, a #DYK (did you know), this day in MAAC history, and MAAC history trivia. The social media initiatives will be used for fan engagement and promotions. Additionally, the MAAC will update the maacsports.com site with classic images and update its Facebook cover photo with classic images to highlight the MAAC’s accomplishments throughout the years.
The anniversary program will also feature a 35th Anniversary team for Olympic sports. The conference will highlight some of the most successful teams throughout its 35 years and will highlight the teams with press releases, photos, videos, and its accolades.
The final marketing initiative will include the top 35 moments in MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball history. This rollout will take place during the basketball season and will highlight some of the top wins, games, performances, and records throughout the years. The moments will be announced with press releases, photos, and videos.
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 the charter 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.
Today, through several membership changes as well as expansion, the MAAC has 11 member institutions, consisting of Canisius College, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s and Siena College. The MAAC currently sponsors and crowns champions in 25 sports.