The Metro Conference has officially expanded its footprint, announcing on Friday that Stonehill College will join the league effective July 1, 2027. This move brings the conference’s membership to a record 14 schools for the 2027-28 academic year, marking a significant shift in the competitive landscape of Division I athletics in the Northeast. Stonehill, based in North Easton, Massachusetts, becomes the latest institution to accept an invitation from the Metro, signaling a continued trend of growth for the conference.
Siena’s league hits record 14 members as NEC loses another pillar
This addition represents the second NEC defector in just three weeks, following the announcement that Le Moyne College in Syracuse would also join the Metro in 2027-28. The Metro’s expansion comes at the direct expense of the Northeast Conference, which has seen a steady exodus of members since 2022. Mount St. Mary’s, Merrimack, and Sacred Heart have already departed the NEC for the Metro, fundamentally altering the balance of power in regional college sports.
Metro Commissioner Travis Tellitocci emphasized the strategic nature of the addition, citing Stonehill’s “outstanding campus” and the development of Bogan Arena as key factors. “Stonehill has demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in its Division I athletics program and is an institution on the rise,” Tellitocci stated. While the Metro grows, the conference also faces internal shifts, with Fairfield University set to leave for the Coastal Athletic Association, highlighting the fluid and competitive nature of modern conference realignment.
Source: Yahoo Sports
