Stonehill College to Join Metro Conference

Stonehill College has accepted an invitation to join the Metro Conference, effective July 1, 2027, as announced today by Metro Commissioner Travis Tellitocci.

Joining the Metro Conference aligns Stonehill with peer institutions that share its values and commitment to academic and athletic excellence, while enhancing the College’s visibility and reputation on a broader regional and national stage.

Stonehill began its reclassification to become an NCAA Division I institution in 2022 and successfully completed an accelerated Division I transition in June 2025, making the 2026-27 academic year its second as a full NCAA Division I active member.

“We are excited to welcome Stonehill College as the 14th member of the Metro Conference,” said Metro Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. “With an outstanding campus, the excitement surrounding the development of Bogan Arena, and a clear vision for the future, Stonehill has demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in its Division I athletics program and is an institution on the rise. Our Council of Presidents has been intentional in identifying institutions that are committed to investing in athletics and positioning themselves for long-term success. We believe Stonehill has the leadership, resources, and vision to compete for championships in the Metro Conference. Its institutional mission and values align well with those of our membership, and its addition further strengthens our presence in New England.”

“On behalf of the Council of Presidents, we are proud to welcome Stonehill College to the Metro Conference,” said Dr. Charles Seifert, president of Siena University and chair of the Metro Council of Presidents. “Stonehill embodies everything the Metro stands for, combining academic excellence and strong faith-based values with a proven commitment to investing in Division I athletics. At a time of significant shift throughout the NCAA, this move underscores our league’s determination to be proactive and bold in shaping our own trajectory. Reaching a record 14 member institutions and strengthening our New England footprint enhances our competitive landscape. We have great admiration for Father Denning’s leadership and look forward to collaborating with him to advance our shared mission in the years ahead.”

“We are honored to join the Metro Conference, an organization whose values align closely with the educational mission of Stonehill College,” said Rev. John Denning, C.S.C., president of the College. “Like Stonehill, the Metro is committed to student-athletes’ holistic development, supporting them academically, athletically and personally as they grow into confident, engaged leaders. This partnership will enhance the student experience, as well as create new opportunities to engage our alumni and other supporters of the College. As we begin this exciting new chapter, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the NEC for providing a home for the Skyhawks throughout our first years as a Division I institution.” 

“Joining the Metro Conference marks an exciting milestone for Stonehill College as we continue to build our Division I identity,” said Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Dean O’Keefe. “The Metro is an outstanding fit for Stonehill, providing exceptional competitive opportunities while reflecting our shared commitment to academic excellence and student-athlete success. Expanding our presence in vibrant markets throughout the region will create new opportunities to engage our alumni, increase Stonehill’s visibility, and introduce future generations of Skyhawks to the distinctive educational experience our College provides. We look forward to renewing historic rivalries, building new relationships, and leveraging this opportunity to elevate Stonehill’s profile, enhance the student-athlete experience, and continue our ascent in Division I athletics.”

Stonehill’s sport sponsorship includes 20 of the Metro’s 23 championship sports, including: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, 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. All programs except for football, field hockey, women’s equestrian, and men’s and women’s ice hockey will compete in the Metro.

Since joining Division I in the fall of 2022, the Skyhawks have reached the NCAA tournament in women’s hockey and women’s lacrosse. In 2026, women’s lacrosse captured the NEC regular season and tournament titles, and both men’s and women’s cross country teams recently swept the NEC Championships this fall. 

In the classroom, current Stonehill student-athletes continue a long-standing tradition of scholastic excellence that is a hallmark of the Skyhawk experience. During the 2025-26 academic, student-athletes posted a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30. Additionally, the 2026 NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Report indicates five of Stonehill’s 23 athletic programs earned a perfect APR score of 1000 (field hockey, softball, women’s tennis, women’s swimming & diving and women’s golf) and every Stonehill team recorded a multiyear APR score above 960.

The Metro’s full members for 2027-28 include 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. Stonehill becomes the Metro’s 11th Catholic institution when it joins as a member next summer.

Stonehill’s transition to the Metro Conference comes at a time of significant momentum for the College. In March, the institution announced the acquisition of Easton Country Club, a 150-acre semi-private golf course that provides a home for the Stonehill women’s golf program and the forthcoming men’s golf team. 

In May, the College launched Built to Rise, a $50 million campaign to elevate athletic offerings and infrastructure through new facilities including the Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena, featuring a basketball center and an ice hockey rink, as well as a new Athletics Field Complex. These investments advance the priorities of Stonehill 2030: Building Together, the College’s strategic plan to help students unlock new opportunities for academic and extracurricular achievement, as well as personal and professional fulfillment.