Le Moyne College joins Metro Conference as Syracuse sees growth in sports and science
Le Moyne College will become a full member of the Metro Conference in 2027, bringing new attention to Syracuse’s athletic and academic scene. The move comes as local universities invest in hands-on training and community impact, with students and graduates making their mark in Central New York.
Le Moyne College’s move to the Metro Conference will become official on July 1, 2027, Spectrum News CNY reports. The college, located just off Salt Springs Road on the east side of Syracuse, will join 12 other schools in the conference for the 2027-28 athletic season. The announcement follows Le Moyne’s full transition to NCAA Division I sports in June, a process that has taken several years of planning and investment by the college’s administration and athletic department.
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Metro Conference Commissioner Travis Tellitocci called the expansion “an exciting time for Le Moyne and the Syracuse region,” according to Spectrum News CNY. The Metro Conference, which was previously known as the MAAC, will now include Le Moyne alongside Canisius, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Merrimack, Mount St. Mary’s, Niagara, Quinnipiac, Rider, Sacred Heart, St. Peter’s, and Siena. With Le Moyne’s addition, the conference will have 13 member schools, a number that reflects the growing competitiveness of mid-major Division I athletics in the Northeast.
By The Numbers
- 13: Number of schools in the Metro Conference for the 2027-28 season, per Spectrum News CNY
- 22: Men’s and women’s varsity sports at Le Moyne College, according to Spectrum News CNY
- 21: Varsity sports presently sponsored by the Metro Conference at Le Moyne, per Spectrum News CNY
Le Moyne’s campus, tucked between Salt Springs Road and Springfield Road, will see more Division I athletic events and visiting teams coming to Syracuse. The Dolphins’ home games are expected to draw larger crowds, with fans from across Central New York and visiting schools filling the stands. Local businesses on Erie Boulevard East and in Eastwood could see a boost from increased traffic on game days, as out-of-town teams and their supporters look for places to eat and stay.
Le Moyne’s athletic department currently supports 22 men’s and women’s varsity sports, according to Spectrum News CNY. The Metro Conference sponsors 21 varsity sports at Le Moyne, which means nearly every team will compete at the conference level. This includes basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball, all sports with strong followings in Syracuse. The move to Division I has required upgrades to facilities and scholarships, and Le Moyne’s leadership has pointed to the long-term benefits for student-athletes and the college’s reputation.
For Syracuse, the arrival of more Division I games means more opportunities for local fans to see high-level college sports without leaving town. The city already hosts Syracuse University’s Orange teams at the JMA Wireless Dome, but Le Moyne’s games offer a different atmosphere and a chance to see up-and-coming athletes compete. The Metro Conference’s footprint stretches from Buffalo to New York City and into New England, so Syracuse will welcome teams from across the Northeast for regular season matchups and conference tournaments.
Le Moyne’s transition is part of a broader trend in Central New York, where colleges and universities are investing in programs that connect students to the community and the job market. The college’s move to Division I has been years in the making, with support from alumni and local leaders who see athletics as a way to raise Syracuse’s profile and bring new energy to the east side. For more updates on local business and development, visit our Syracuse business page.
Hands-on science training at Syracuse University
While Le Moyne’s athletic news draws attention, Syracuse University is making its mark with hands-on science education. Syracuse University News reports that graduates of the forensic science master’s program in the College of Arts and Sciences are landing jobs in their fields, thanks to a curriculum that emphasizes real-world experience and local partnerships.
Joelle Provino, who earned her master’s degree in forensic science and a certificate of advanced study in firearm and tool mark examination at Syracuse, now works as a firearms examiner with the Onondaga County Center for Forensic Sciences. The Center, located on S. State Street downtown, handles evidence for law enforcement agencies across Central New York. Provino credits the program’s practical training and faculty expertise for preparing her for her “dream job.” She told Syracuse University News, “I left feeling prepared and confident heading into the job.”
Lilah Effron, another recent graduate, is working as a medicolegal death investigator trainee with the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office. Effron said her coursework at Syracuse University, especially classes taught by Brian Ehret, chief forensic investigator for Onondaga County, helped her discover the human side of forensic science. Ehret’s experience with local investigations gave students a window into the realities of serving families in crisis and ensuring accurate investigations.
Provino and Effron both pointed to the importance of hands-on training. Provino said she still refers to her course binders for guidance in her current work at the Center for Forensic Sciences. Effron emphasized the role of medicolegal death investigators in supporting families and ensuring accurate investigations, a responsibility she learned to value during her time at Syracuse. Their stories show how local education programs are preparing graduates for jobs that matter in Central New York and beyond.
Syracuse University’s forensic science program has built partnerships with agencies in Onondaga County, giving students access to internships and fieldwork. The university’s focus on practical education attracts students interested in careers that serve the community, from law enforcement to public health. For more on local education and student achievements, check our community events coverage.
What this means for Central New York
Le Moyne College’s move to the Metro Conference and Syracuse University’s hands-on science training reflect a period of growth for Syracuse and nearby towns like DeWitt, Salina, and Geddes. Sports fans can expect more high-profile games on the east side, while the city’s science graduates are stepping into vital roles at local agencies and medical examiner’s offices.
These changes come as Syracuse is changing. Projects like the I-81 viaduct transformation are reshaping traffic patterns and opening up new development opportunities downtown. Neighborhoods from Tipp Hill to Eastwood are seeing the benefits, with students, athletes, and professionals contributing to Central New York’s energy and resilience. The city’s colleges are not just educating students, they’re helping drive economic activity and community engagement.
As fall foliage peaks and SU football Saturdays fill the JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse’s sports and academic scenes are both drawing crowds. Onondaga Lake Parkway is lined with color, and local businesses are preparing for a busy winter. For the latest weather updates and event forecasts, visit our Syracuse weather page.
Where to check for updates
For more information on Le Moyne College athletics, visit the school’s official website. To follow local education and science news, check Syracuse University News. For ongoing coverage of business, weather, and community events in Central New York, keep reading CNY Signal.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Le Moyne College , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Syracuse University News, forensic science graduate training and career outcomes
- Spectrum News CNY, Le Moyne College Metro Conference membership
