EDISON, NJ and SYRACUSE, NY (October 22, 2026) –– The Metro Conference announced Thursday that Le Moyne College has accepted an invitation to join the Conference as a full member institution, effective July 1, 2027. Le Moyne previously competed in the Conference as an associate member in baseball for 18 years and women’s lacrosse for nine seasons.

Le Moyne joins Canisius 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 as 2027-28 Metro full member institutions.

“We are excited to welcome Le Moyne College back to the Metro Conference,” said Metro Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. “Le Moyne’s leadership has taken an aggressive approach to building its Division I athletics program and demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in its future success. With significant economic development and investment taking place throughout Central New York, this is an exciting time for Le Moyne and the Syracuse region. We believe Le Moyne has tremendous potential and is well positioned to capitalize on this momentum. We look forward to working together to build a successful future with Le Moyne in the Metro Conference.”

“On behalf of the Council of Presidents, we are thrilled to welcome Le Moyne College into the Metro Conference family,” said Dr. Charles Seifert, president of Siena University and chair of the Metro Council of Presidents. “Le Moyne is an outstanding institution that shares our foundational commitment to academic excellence, integrity, and holistic student-athlete development. Their rich tradition and momentum in Division I athletics make them a natural fit for our Conference, and their Catholic and faith-based tradition further enriches the values-driven identity of our league. Adding Le Moyne elevates our competitive landscape, strengthens our regional footprint in New York, and enhances the overall experience for student athletes across all member institutions. Through our work together over the years, I have developed tremendous respect for President LeMura’s leadership, and I look forward to partnering with her and the Le Moyne team to build a bright future together in the Metro.”

Le Moyne College sponsors 22 Division I programs, 10 for men and 12 for women. The Dolphins, located in Syracuse, New York, began its all-sport NCAA Division I transition in July 2023 and successfully completed an accelerated Division I transition in June 2026, making the 2026-27 academic year its first with full NCAA Division I active member status.

Le Moyne’s addition comes at a time of historic growth in Central New York. Micron Technology is investing $100 billion to build the largest semiconductor manufacturing facility in U.S. history in the Syracuse region, the largest private investment in New York State history. The project is expected to create more than 50,000 permanent jobs across Central New York.

"We are absolutely thrilled to join the Metro Conference at a transformative time for both Le Moyne College and the Central New York region," said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura. "This move will allow Le Moyne to compete against peer institutions with similar missions and values, who are committed to academic excellence, and who have legacies of on-field achievement and institutional support for athletics. Competing in the Metro will elevate Le Moyne's national profile, enhance the student-athlete experience, and increase exposure in cities and regions beneficial for future recruitment efforts and growth. We look forward to building strong rivalries and a dynamic future together."

“Joining the Metro is both a historic milestone and a natural homecoming for Le Moyne College,” said Le Moyne Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Phil Brown. “Given our history competing alongside many of these outstanding institutions, this alignment strengthens our regional presence while providing our student-athletes with an incredible platform to compete at the highest level. The Metro matches our commitment to academic excellence, tradition, and community, and we couldn't be more excited to solidify our footprint across the region and represent Le Moyne Athletics in this new chapter.

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1946, Le Moyne was the first Jesuit institution to open as a coeducational college. Le Moyne will be the Metro’s 10th Catholic institution in 2027-28 and its third active Jesuit member, joining Canisius and Saint Peter’s. Le Moyne is one of only 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in North and Central America. The Metro is one of just four NCAA Division I conferences with at least three Jesuit members, alongside the BIG EAST, Atlantic 10 and West Coast Conference.

The Dolphins have won 44 conference championships across nine sports, in addition to eight national championships (six in men's lacrosse, one in women's lacrosse and an individual championship in swimming and diving). Le Moyne’s teams have combined to make 136 NCAA tournament appearances, 27 coming in its final five years in Division II.

Le Moyne’s storied baseball program enjoyed great success on the diamond during the program’s first stint in the Conference from 1990-2007. The Dolphins captured eight conference championships, the most in Conference history, including four conference tournament championships. Nineteen student-athletes were Major League Baseball (MLB) draft picks during Le Moyne’s 18-year run in the Conference, including 1993 first-round selection Jon Ratliff (Chicago Cubs). The Dolphins won more than 300 games against conference foes over 18 seasons, an average of 17 per year.

Le Moyne women’s lacrosse spent nine seasons in the Metro from 1999-2007, winning four conference tournament titles. Dolphins student-athletes and coaches earned six major Conference awards during its tenure.

Since joining the all-sport Division I ranks, Le Moyne has captured regular-season conference championships in men’s and women’s lacrosse.

Le Moyne sponsors 21 of the Metro’s 23 championship sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and women’s volleyball. Le Moyne also sponsors women’s bowling.

Consistently ranked in the top 15 north regional universities by U.S. News and World Report, Le Moyne also ranks in the top 7% in the Wall Street Journal’s “Best Value in the U.S.” and received an “A” grade for stability and resource management by Forbes Financial. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students come from 35 states and 38 nations, with 96% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of graduating. 

Le Moyne is the Metro’s fourth new member since 2022, following Mount St. Mary’s (2022) and Merrimack and Sacred Heart (2024). Le Moyne will become the Metro’s seventh member institution in New York State, further strengthening the Conference’s footprint in the Empire State.
  Now in its 46th year of competition, the Metro Conference unites 13 institutions committed to excellence in academics and athletics. Anchored in one of the nation's most dynamic regions and largest media markets, the Metro’s 2027-28 membership includes: Canisius University, Iona University, Le Moyne College, 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. Connect with the Metro on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at @MetroConfSports, or visit TheMetro.org.