Beginning next year, Siena University will have a new rival in the Metro Conference.
The Metro announced Thursday that Le Moyne College, located in Syracuse, has accepted an invitation to join the conference as a full member for the 2027-28 academic year.
Le Moyne will officially join on July 1, 2027, increasing the Metro to 13 full member institutions. The Dolphins effectively replace Fairfield, which is leaving the Metro to join the Coastal Athletic Association at the conclusion of the 2026-27 academic year.
Le Moyne is leaving the Northeast Conference, to which the Dolphins have belonged since upgrading from Division II to Division I in all sports in 2023.
Le Moyne, a Jesuit institution, previously competed in the Metro as an associate member in baseball for 18 years and women's lacrosse for nine seasons.
"We are excited to welcome Le Moyne College back to the Metro Conference," Metro Commissioner Travis Tellitocci said in a news release. "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."
Siena president Chuck Seifert welcomed Le Moyne on behalf 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," Seifert said in the news release. "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."
Le Moyne men's basketball went 15-17 overall and 10-8 in the NEC last season under head coach Nate Champion. The women's basketball team was 12-21 and 9-9 for head coach Nick DiPillo.
Their teams will be eligible for the Metro's automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. Le Moyne completed an accelerated Division I transition in June 2026 to earn full NCAA Division I active member status.
Siena men's basketball last played Le Moyne during the regular season in the 1992-93 season. The Dolphins hold a 39-23 lead the all-time rivalry, though Siena has won all six regular-season meetings since upgrading to Division I in 1976-77.
Le Moyne upset Siena 73-71 in an exhibition game in Loudonville on Nov. 4, 2017.
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