EDISON, NJ (Oct. 5, 2022) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced a three-year agreement with SPIRE Academy in which SPIRE will serve as the host site of the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. The agreement will move the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships to Geneva, Ohio for 2024, 2025, and 2026.
 
One of the largest indoor, multi-sport, training and competition facilities in the world, SPIRE’s growing 800-acre campus includes more than 800,000 sq. ft. of world-class facilities under roof. The Aquatics Center features a 10-lane, 50-meter Olympic Myrtha pool, what some have dubbed “the fastest pool in North America,” and regularly holds major collegiate events, as well as camps and an academy program for student athletes looking to take their talents to the next level.
 
"The MAAC is always seeking ways to elevate its sports championships and as the size, scope and production elements of the Swimming and Diving Championships have grown, it became apparent that the event required more space and amenities to grow," said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. "The three-year agreement with SPIRE will provide the MAAC with a great opportunity to better host and showcase the student-athletes and do so in a world-class complex that provides housing, food service and training services for the conference's teams and fans."
 
SPIRE President Jeff Orloff expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the MAAC in Geneva. "SPIRE is so excited to be able to host the MAAC. Not only is the MAAC seen as a progressive and successful conference, but the high level of competition provided by their teams makes this event one that will be exciting and one SPIRE is proud to host. We look forward to a long and positive relationship with the MAAC."
 
The 2023 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships will take place at Erie Community College (ECC) in Buffalo, NY for the 12th consecutive year since first being held at ECC in 2011. Prior to the 2011 season, the tournament spent 10 years in Baltimore, Maryland from 2001 to 2010, with former MAAC member Loyola serving as the host.  
 
The MAAC swimming and diving men’s side fields nine teams in Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Mount St. Mary’s, Niagara, Rider, and Saint Peter’s, while the women’s side features 10 teams which include Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Mount St. Mary’s, Niagara, Rider, Saint Peter’s, and Siena. Rider has won the last 10 championship titles on the men’s side while on the women’s side, Marist won seven straight titles (2011-17) before Fairfield won three of the last four (2018-20) and Niagara took home the most recent trophy (2022).
 
About SPIRE 
SPIRE Academy is a comprehensive academic, athletic, personal skills and career development experience located within a world class event and wellness complex. Constructed on more than 800 acres and 800,000 sq. ft. under roof, SPIRE (www.spireinstitute.org) encompasses four divisions: SPIRE Academy, an accredited college preparatory international boarding school and multi-sport/specialty training and development academy for 9-12 graders and a post grad program; SPIRE Institute, the research and development arm studying performance improvement across multiple disciplines; SPIRE Events, a facility and team that hosts local, national and international tournaments and events with the NCAA, the Big East, Big Ten and Atlantic 10 conferences, Olympic trials and world championship qualifiers; and SPIRE Fit, a community membership-based fitness, swim and health center open to the public. Sports currently featured on campus include swimming, track and field, basketball, esports, drone racing, wrestling, soccer and lacrosse.

About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 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 42nd year of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
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