Mid-American Conference

U.S. college sports conference

Mid-American Conference

Association| NCAA
Founded| 1946
Commissioner| Jon Steinbrecher (since 2009)
Sports fielded|

* 24
* men's: 11
* women's: 13

Division| Division I
Subdivision| FBS
No. of teams| 12 (13 in 2025, 12 in 2026)
Headquarters| Cleveland, Ohio
Region| Great Lakes
Official website| getsomemaction.com
Locations

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members located in Illinois, Indiana, and New York. For football, the MAC participates in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision.

The MAC is headquartered in the Public Square district in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and has two members in the nearby Akron area. The conference ranks highest among all ten NCAA Division I FBS conferences for graduation rates.[1]

## History

[edit]

The five charter members of the Mid-American Conference were Ohio University, Butler University, the University of Cincinnati, Wayne University (now Wayne State University), and Western Reserve University, one of the predecessors to today's Case Western Reserve University. Wayne University left after the first year. Miami University and Western Michigan University took the place of those charter members for the 1948 season. The MAC added the University of Toledo (1950), Kent State University (1951), and Bowling Green State University (1952). The University of Cincinnati resigned its membership February 18, 1953, with an effective date of June 1, 1953. Cincinnati's decision was based on a new requirement that at least 5 conference football games would have to be scheduled each season, university president Raymond Walters saying they "...regretfully resign...as the university could not continue under the present setup..."[2]

The membership was steady for the next two decades except for the addition of Marshall University in 1954 and the departure of Western Reserve in 1955.[3] Marshall was expelled from the conference in 1969 due to NCAA violations.[4] The first major expansion since the 1950s took place in the mid-1970s with the addition of Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University in 1972 and Ball State University and Northern Illinois University in 1973. NIU left after the 1985–86 season. The University of Akron joined the conference in 1992. The conference became the largest in Division I-A with the re-admittance of Marshall and NIU in 1997 and addition of the Bulls from the University at Buffalo in 1998. The University of Central Florida, a non-football all-sports member in the Atlantic Sun Conference at the time, joined for football only in 2002, becoming the first football-only member in conference history. Marshall and Central Florida left after the 2004–05 academic year, both joining Conference USA in all sports.

In May 2005, the Temple Owls in Philadelphia signed a six-year contract with the MAC as a football-only school and began play in the East Division in 2007.[5]

The Louisville Cardinals were a MAC affiliate for field hockey for a number of years when Louisville was a member of the Metro Conference and Conference USA, winning two MAC tourney titles in 2003 and 2004.[6]

The Missouri State Bears, Evansville Purple Aces, and Southern Illinois Salukis participate in the MAC for men's swimming and diving.[7] In 2012, the West Virginia Mountaineers joined the Florida Atlantic Owls and Hartwick College Hawks as men's soccer affiliates.[8] Florida Atlantic departed upon joining Conference USA in 2013. Hartwick's contract was not renewed by the MAC in 2015. Nine schools are wrestling affiliates; most became affiliates when the MAC absorbed the former Eastern Wrestling League in 2019. Appalachian State University and Longwood University are associates in field hockey; Missouri State had also been a member in that sport from 2005 until dropping field hockey after the 2016 season. Binghamton University is an affiliate in men's tennis. In June 2017, SIU Edwardsville (SIUE) was invited to become an affiliate member in both men's soccer and wrestling in 2018.[9] When Buffalo suddenly dropped four sports, including men's soccer, SIUE's move in that sport was made immediately.[10]

The UMass Minutemen joined the MAC as a football-only member in July 2012; the university announced that the team would leave the MAC at the end of the 2015 season due to contractual issues.[11][12] Meanwhile, Temple ended its affiliation with the MAC in football and joined the Big East for football in July 2012. Following the split of the Big East into football-sponsoring and non-football conferences in July 2013, Temple became a full member of the football-sponsoring portion, the American Athletic Conference, ending its membership in the Atlantic 10 at that time.[13][14] The Chicago State Cougars were an affiliate for men's tennis until joining the Western Athletic Conference, which sponsors that sport, in July 2013.

The conference unveiled the addition of women's lacrosse to its sport sponsorship in November 2019.[15] Lacrosse began competing under the MAC banner with six teams in the 2021 season with MAC members Akron, Central Michigan and Kent State joined by associate members Detroit Mercy, Robert Morris, and Youngstown State. Eastern Michigan became the seventh women's lacrosse member when it added the sport in the 2022 season.[16]

At the end of the 2022 season, the MAC discontinued men's soccer as a sponsored sport. While the conference realignment of the early 2020s did not affect the MAC's core membership up to that time, it significantly impacted the amount of men's soccer sponsoring programs within the conference, and ultimately led to the conference lacking enough teams to maintain its automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.[17] Of the four full MAC members that sponsored men's soccer in the 2022 season, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, and Western Michigan moved the sport to the Missouri Valley Conference,[18] and Akron moved it to the Big East Conference.[19]

The MAC eliminated its East and West divisions for football in January 2024. The divisions had already been eliminated for other sports in 2020.[20][21] Later that year, in late February, it was announced that the UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen will join the conference as a full member beginning in 2025, returning UMass football to the MAC.[22][23] In July, the conference announced that it would begin sponsoring women's rowing for the 2025–26 season; full members Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and UMass would be joined by affiliate members Delaware, High Point, and Temple.[24]

On January 3, 2025, it was reported that Northern Illinois had accepted an invitation from the Mountain West Conference to join as an affiliate member for football in 2026.[25] This move was made official on January 7, after approval by NIU's governing board.[26] Current MAC bylaws stipulate that all members must play football within the conference; correspondingly, multiple media reports in February 2025 indicated that NIU was set to rejoin the Horizon League, a non-football conference in which it had been a member from 1994–1997, in 2026. This move was also made official on February 27, after approval by NIU's governing board. NIU has applied to maintain MAC affiliate membership in women's gymnastics and men's wrestling, neither of which the Horizon sponsors.[27][28][29]

## Member universities

[edit]

### Current full members

[edit]

There are twelve public universities with full membership:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Joined[30] | Type  | Enrollment
(Fall 2020)[31] | Endowment
(millions)  | Nickname  | Colors

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

University of Akron | Akron, Ohio | 1870  | 1992  | Public | 16,094  | $235  | Zips |
Ball State University | Muncie, Indiana | 1918  | 1973  | 21,597  | $325  | Cardinals |
Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green, Ohio | 1910  | 1952  | 18,142  | $155  | Falcons |
University at Buffalo | Buffalo, New York | 1846  | 1998  | 32,347  | $1,020  | Bulls |
Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | 1892  | 1971  | 17,311  | $246  | Chippewas |
Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, Michigan | 1849  | 1971  | 16,294  | $94  | Eagles |
Kent State University | Kent, Ohio | 1910  | 1951  | 26,822  | $301  | Golden Flashes |
Miami University | Oxford, Ohio | 1809  | 1947  | 18,880  | $814  | RedHawks |
Northern Illinois University[a] | DeKalb, Illinois | 1895  | 1975,
1997[b] | Public | 16,769  | $99  | Huskies |
Ohio University | Athens, Ohio | 1804  | 1946  | Public | 25,714  | $1,007  | Bobcats |
University of Toledo | Toledo, Ohio | 1872  | 1950  | 18,319  | $551  | Rockets |
Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, Michigan | 1903  | 1947  | 19,887  | $495  | Broncos |

Notes

1. ^ Northern Illinois announced it will join the Mountain West Conference for football and the Horizon League for other sports no later than July 1, 2026.
2. ^ Northern Illinois left the MAC after the 1985–86 school year; before rejoining in the 1997–98 school year.

### Future full members

[edit]

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Joining  | Type  | Enrollment
(Fall 2023)  | Endowment
(millions)  | Nickname  | Colors  | Current conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

University of Massachusetts Amherst | Amherst, Massachusetts | 1863  | 2025[a] | Public | 27,420  | $1,500  | Minutemen and Minutewomen |  | Atlantic 10[b]

1. ^ UMass was a MAC affiliate in football from the 2012 to 2015 fall seasons (2012–13 to 2015–16 school years).
2. ^ UMass football has competed as an FBS independent since 2016.

### Membership map

[edit]

Mid-American Conference

110km
68miles

Akron

UMass

Western Michigan

Toledo

NIU

Eastern Michigan

Central Michigan

Ball State

Ohio

Miami

Kent State

Buffalo

Bowling Green

Location of MAC members:  current member,  future member,  departing member

### Current affiliate members

[edit]

Sixteen schools have MAC affiliate membership status as of 2024. On July 1, 2012, Temple joined the Big East Conference for football only (the school's other sports would join the Big East/American for 2013–14), and Massachusetts replaced Temple as a football-only member in the MAC East Division. On September 19, 2012, the MAC announced Missouri, Northern Iowa and Old Dominion would join as wrestling affiliates; as the Southeastern and Missouri Valley Conferences do not sponsor wrestling. Missouri and Northern Iowa participated only in the conference tournament in the 2012–13 school year, and began full conference play in 2013–14. Old Dominion did not begin MAC competition until 2013–14, when it left the Colonial Athletic Association (which had sponsored wrestling, but no longer does so) for Conference USA (which has never sponsored the sport).[32][33] Old Dominion discontinued wrestling in April 2020.[34]

On July 1, 2013, Florida Atlantic's men's soccer program moved with the rest of its athletic program to Conference USA, and Chicago State's men's tennis team followed the rest of its sports to the Western Athletic Conference.

The 2014–15 school year saw one affiliate member leave for another conference and two new affiliates join. The Hartwick men's soccer team left the MAC for the Sun Belt Conference, which had announced in February 2014 that it would reinstate men's soccer, a sport that it last sponsored in 1995, for the 2014 season.[35] The new affiliates for 2014–15 were Binghamton in men's tennis and Longwood in field hockey.[36]

On July 1, 2017, one associate member left the MAC, another associate member dropped one of its two MAC sports, and two new schools became associate members. Northern Iowa wrestling moved from the MAC to the Big 12 Conference.[37] Missouri State dropped field hockey,[38] but remained a MAC member in men's swimming & diving. Appalachian State joined MAC field hockey,[39] and SIU Edwardsville (SIUE) joined in men's soccer.[40] SIUE was initially announced as joining in both men's soccer and wrestling in 2018, but less than a week after the initial announcement, the conference indicated that SIUE men's soccer would immediately join.[40][10] SIUE wrestling joined on its originally announced schedule.

On March 5, 2019, the conference announced that it would be adding the seven former members of the Eastern Wrestling League as affiliate members in wrestling, making the MAC the second-largest wrestling conference for academic year 2019–20.[41]

With the addition of women's lacrosse, the MAC added affiliate members Detroit Mercy, Robert Morris, and Youngstown State in the 2020–21 academic year. UDM and YSU, all-sports members of the Horizon League, were announced as incoming associates at the same time the MAC announced the addition of lacrosse.[16] RMU was announced as an incoming associate in late June 2020, shortly after the school announced it would join the Horizon League in July 2020.[42]

In June 2020, SIUE announced that it would leave the MAC men's soccer league in 2021 to rejoin its previous men's soccer home of the Missouri Valley Conference.[43] It remains in MAC wrestling to this day.

Also in 2021, Missouri left MAC wrestling and returned to its former home of the Big 12 Conference as a wrestling-only member.[44] At the same time, four schools became single-sport MAC members—Bellarmine in field hockey,[45] Georgia Southern and Georgia State in men's soccer,[46] and Valparaiso in men's swimming (the school does not include diving in its men's aquatics program).[47]

In 2022, West Virginia men's soccer was scheduled to leave the MAC for single-sport membership in Conference USA (CUSA).[48] However, due to the tenuous future of CUSA at that time, West Virginia opted instead to join the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) in 2022 as that league reinstated men's soccer. Georgia Southern and Georgia State, both full SBC members, also returned men's soccer to their home conference in 2022.[49] In response, the MAC announced that Chicago State would join as a men's soccer affiliate as of the 2022–23 season, as the Cougars prepared to depart the Western Athletic Conference in all sports, including soccer.[50] Also in 2022, the MAC gained another affiliate when another Chicago institution, UIC, joined for men's swimming & diving.[51] Ultimately, Chicago State's tenure as a MAC affiliate lasted only for the 2022 season, as the conference dropped men's soccer at season's end.[17] 2023 saw UIC adding men's tennis to its affiliate membership, as well as the announcement that James Madison would be joining as an affiliate for field hockey in 2024.[52][53]

In 2024, the Missouri Valley Conference announced it would begin sponsoring men's swimming & diving for the 2024–25 season. At the time, the MAC men's swimming programs consisted of 2 MAC schools and 5 affiliates from the MVC; correspondingly, all of these programs would move to the MVC for the following season, with the 2 MAC schools (Ball State and Miami) joining the MVC as affiliates for that sport.[54] However, shortly after dropping men's swimming, the MAC announced it would begin sponsoring a new sport, women's rowing, in 2025–26. Accordingly, it brought on 3 new affiliates for that sport: Delaware, High Point, and former football affiliate Temple.[24]

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Joined  | Type  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Colors  | MAC
sport  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Appalachian State University | Boone, North Carolina | 1899  | 2017–18  | Public  | 19,089  | Mountaineers |  | field hockey  | Sun Belt
Bellarmine University | Louisville, Kentucky | 1950  | 2021–22  | Private (Catholic)  | 3,973  | Knights |  | ASUN
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | 1839  | 2019–20  | Public  | 9,950  | Huskies |  | wrestling  | PSAC[a]
Cleveland State University | Cleveland, Ohio | 1964  | 2019–20  | Public  | 17,260  | Vikings |  | wrestling  | Horizon
University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit, Michigan | 1877  | 2020–21  | Private (Catholic)  | 5,700  | Titans |  | lacrosse (w)  | Horizon
George Mason University | Fairfax, Virginia | 1957  | 2019–20  | Public  | 35,047  | Patriots |  | wrestling  | Atlantic 10
James Madison University | Harrisonburg, Virginia | 1908  | 2024–25  | 21,496  | Dukes |  | field hockey  | Sun Belt
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania | Lock Haven, Pennsylvania | 1870  | 2019–20  | 4,607  | Bald Eagles |  | wrestling  | PSAC[a]
Longwood University | Farmville, Virginia | 1839  | 2014–15  | 4,800  | Lancers |  | field hockey  | Big South
Pennsylvania Western University Clarion (Clarion)[b] | Clarion, Pennsylvania | 1867  | 2019–20  | 5,225  | Golden Eagles |  | wrestling  | PSAC[a]
Pennsylvania Western University Edinboro (Edinboro)[b] | Edinboro, Pennsylvania | 1857  | 4,834  | Fighting Scots |  | wrestling  | PSAC[a]
Rider University | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | 1865  | Private (nonsectarian)  | 5,400  | Broncs |  | wrestling  | MAAC
Robert Morris University | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | 1921  | 2020–21  | 4,895  | Colonials |  | lacrosse (w)  | Horizon
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville[9] | Edwardsville, Illinois | 1957  | 2018–19  | Public  | 14,142  | Cougars |  | wrestling  | OVC
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)  | Chicago, Illinois | 1859  | 2023–24  | 34,199  | Flames |  | tennis (m)  | Missouri Valley
Youngstown State University | Youngstown, Ohio | 1908  | 2020–21  | 15,058  | Penguins |  | lacrosse (w)  | Horizon

### Future affiliate members

[edit]

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Joining  | Type  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Colors  | MAC
sport  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | 1743  | 2025  | Public[c] | 23,774  | Blue Hens |  | rowing  | CAA
(CUSA in 2025)
High Point University | High Point, North Carolina | 1924  | Private
(Methodist)  | 4,545  | Panthers |  | Big South
Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1884  | State related | 37,365  | Owls |  | American

Notes

1. ^ a b c d Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
2. ^ a b Clarion and Edinboro, previously separate institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education formally named "Location University of Pennsylvania", became campuses of the new Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) on July 1, 2022. Both continue to have their own athletic programs, branded solely with their location (as was the case before the PennWest merger).
3. ^ Delaware is officially chartered as a "privately-governed, state-assisted" institution. This status is broadly similar to that of New York State's statutory colleges, most of which are housed at Cornell University, or institutions in Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education.

### Former full members

[edit]

School names, nicknames, and colors listed here reflect those used during each school's MAC tenure.

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Joined  | Left  | Type  | Nickname  | Colors  | Current
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Butler University | Indianapolis, Indiana | 1855  | 1946  | 1950  | Private  | Bulldogs |  | Big East
Pioneer (football only)
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, Ohio | 1819  | 1953  | Public  | Bearcats |  | Big 12
Marshall University | Huntington, West Virginia | 1837  | 1954  | 1969  | Thundering Herd |  | Sun Belt
1997  | 2005
Wayne University[a] | Detroit, Michigan | 1868  | 1946  | 1947  | Tartars[b] |  | GLIAC[c]
Western Reserve University[d] | Cleveland, Ohio | 1826  | 1955  | Private  | Red Cats[e] |  | UAA[f]

Notes

1. ^ Wayne University became Wayne State University in 1956.
2. ^ Wayne State's athletic teams changed from Tartars to Warriors in 1999.
3. ^ Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
4. ^ Western Reserve merged with Case Institute of Technology in 1967 to form Case Western Reserve University, with the athletic programs merging in 1971.
5. ^ Western Reserve's teams were known as the Red Cats during their time in the MAC.[55] With the athletic merger, Case Western Reserve abandoned the nicknames of both former institutions and adopted Spartans.
6. ^ Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.

### Former affiliate members

[edit]

School names, nicknames, and colors listed here reflect those used during each school's MAC tenure.

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Joined  | Left  | Type  | Nickname  | Colors  | MAC
sport  | Current
primary
conference  | Current
conference
in former
MAC sport

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Binghamton University | Vestal, New York[a] | 1946  | 2014–15  | 2023–24  | Public  | Bearcats |  | tennis (m)  | America East | NEC
University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida[b] | 1963  | 2002–03  | 2004–05  | Golden Knights[c] |  | football  | Big 12
Chicago State University | Chicago, Illinois | 1867  | 2007–08  | 2012–13  | Cougars |  | tennis (m)  | NEC
2022–23[d] | 2023–24  | soccer (m)
University of Evansville | Evansville, Indiana | 1854  | 2009–10  | 2024–25  | Purple Aces |  | swimming & diving (m)  | Missouri Valley
Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, Florida | 1961  | 2008–09[56] | 2012–13  | Owls |  | soccer (m)  | The American
Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Georgia | 1906  | 2021–22  | 2022–23  | Eagles |  | soccer (m)  | Sun Belt
Georgia State University | Atlanta, Georgia | 1913  | Panthers |
Hartwick College[e] | Oneonta, New York | 1797  | 2007–08  | 2013–14  | Private  | Hawks |  | soccer (m)[56] | Empire 8[f]
Indiana University-
Purdue University
Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, Indiana | 1917  | 2002–03m.ten. | 2006–07  | Public  | Mastodons[g] |  | tennis (m)[57] | Horizon
2005–06m.soc. | soccer (m)[56]
University of Kentucky | Lexington, Kentucky | 1865  | 1995–96  | 2004–05  | Wildcats |  | SEC | Sun Belt
University of Louisville | Louisville, Kentucky | 1798  | 1994–95  | Cardinals |  | field hockey[58] | ACC
University of Massachusetts | Amherst, Massachusetts | 1863  | 2012–13  | 2015–16  | Minutemen |  | football  | Atlantic 10
(MAC in 2025) | FBS Independent
(MAC in 2025)
University of Missouri | Columbia, Missouri | 1839  | 2012–13  | 2020–21  | Tigers |  | wrestling  | SEC | Big 12
Missouri State University | Springfield, Missouri | 1905  | 2005–06  | 2016–17  | Bears and Lady Bears |  | field hockey[58] | Missouri Valley
(CUSA in 2025) | (dropped sport)
2009–10  | 2024–25  | swimming & diving (m)  | Missouri Valley
(CUSA in 2025) | Missouri Valley
(TBA in 2025)[h]
University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, Iowa | 1876  | 2012–13  | 2016–17  | Panthers |  | wrestling  | Missouri Valley | Big 12
Old Dominion University | Norfolk, Virginia | 1930  | 2013–14  | 2019–20  | Monarchs |  | Sun Belt | (dropped sport)[34]
Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, Illinois | 1869  | 2009–10  | 2024–25  | Salukis |  | swimming & diving (m)  | Missouri Valley
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville[9][i] | Edwardsville, Illinois | 1957  | 2017–18  | 2020–21  | Cougars |  | soccer (m)[10] | OVC
Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1884  | 2007–08  | 2011–12  | Owls |  | football  | The American
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)  | Chicago, Illinois | 1859  | 2022–23  | 2024–25  | Flames |  | swimming & diving (m)  | Missouri Valley
Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, Indiana | 1859  | 2021–22  | 2024–25  | Private  | Beacons |  | swimming (m)  | Missouri Valley
West Virginia University | Morgantown, West Virginia | 1867  | 2012–13  | 2022–23  | Public  | Mountaineers |  | soccer (m)  | Big 12 | Sun Belt

Notes

1. ^ The campus is physically located in Vestal but has a Binghamton mailing address.
2. ^ The main campus has an Orlando mailing address but is entirely located in unincorporated Orange County.
3. ^ Central Florida (UCF), known as the Golden Knights during its MAC tenure, dropped "Golden" from the athletic nickname in 2007 as part of its rebrand to the UCF Knights.
4. ^ On November 11, 2022, the MAC announced that it was suspending men's soccer as a conference sport effective at the end of the 2022 season (2022–23 school year).[17]
5. ^ In early 2014, the MAC made the decision "... to move forward without multi-divisional institutions." The conference then informed Hartwick that their contract as an affiliate member would not be renewed.
6. ^ Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
7. ^ Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW), known as the IPFW Mastodons during their affiliation with the MAC for men's soccer and men's tennis, rebranded their athletic program as the Fort Wayne Mastodons in 2016. Following IPFW's split into two separate institutions in July 2018, the Fort Wayne athletic program transferred to the larger of the two new institutions, Purdue University Fort Wayne, and the athletic program rebranded again as the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons. The school colors changed to the old gold and black used by the other members of the Purdue system, most notably the main campus.
8. ^ Missouri State's future home of Conference USA does not sponsor swimming & diving for either sex. The school has yet to announce a future men's aquatics affiliation.
9. ^ SIUE remains a MAC affiliate in wrestling.

### Membership timeline

[edit]

Full members Full members (non-football) Associate members (football only) Independent Other Conference Other Conference

## Academics

[edit]

One of the current full member schools, the University at Buffalo, is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).[59] All members of the MAC are classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" except for the University at Buffalo, Kent State University, and Ohio University, which are classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".[60] Member schools are also ranked nationally and globally by various groups, including U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education.

University  | Location  | Affiliation  | Carnegie[60] | Endowment[61][62] | USN Nat.[63] | URAP Global[64]

|
|
|
|
|
|

University of Akron | Akron, Ohio | Public  | Research (High)  | $236,000,000  | 293-381  | 763
Ball State University | Muncie, Indiana | Public  | Research (High)  | $325,000,000  | 192  | 1,437
Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public  | Research (High)  | $200,000,000  | 246  | 1,443
University at Buffalo | Buffalo, New York | Public  | Research (Very High)  | $1,020,000,000  | 79  | 279
Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public  | Research (High)  | $246,000,000  | 240  | 1,335
Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public  | Research (High)  | $78,000,000  | 293-381  | 2,187
Kent State University | Kent, Ohio | Public  | Research (Very High)  | $188,000,000  | 211  | 801
Miami University | Oxford, Ohio | Public  | Research (High)  | $736,000,000  | 91  | 1,061
Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, Illinois | Public  | Research (High)  | $99,000,000  | 293-381  | 1,078
Ohio University | Athens, Ohio | Public  | Research (Very High)  | $943,400,000  | 176  | 701
University of Toledo | Toledo, Ohio | Public  | Research (High)  | $551,000,000  | 293-381  | 745
Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public  | Research (High)  | $495,000,000  | 246  | 1,292

## Sports

[edit]

The Mid-American Conference sponsors championship competition in 9 men's and 13 women's NCAA sanctioned sports, with women's lacrosse becoming the newest sport in 2020–21.[65] As of the 2024–25 school year, 16 schools are associate members for four sports.

As the MAC is an FBS conference, its full members are subject to the NCAA requirement that FBS members field teams in at least 16 NCAA-recognized sports. However, as of 2017, the MAC itself required sponsorship of only four sports: football, men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball.[66] This may have since changed, as UMass was accepted as a new conference member effective in 2025 despite not sponsoring women's volleyball.

Teams in MAC competition Sport | Men's | Women's

|
|

Baseball | 11 | –
Basketball | 12 | 12
Cross country | 9 | 12
Field hockey | – | 8
Football | 12 | –
Golf | 8 | 10
Gymnastics | – | 7
Lacrosse | – | 7
Soccer | – | 12
Softball | – | 12
Swimming and diving | – | 8
Tennis | 6 | 7
Track and field (indoor) | 4 | 12
Track and field (outdoor) | 5 | 12
Volleyball | – | 12
Wrestling | 13 | –

### Men's sponsored sports by school

[edit]

School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross country | Football | Golf | Tennis | Track and field
(indoor) | Track and field
(outdoor) | Wrestling | Total MAC sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Akron | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | 6
Ball State | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 5
Bowling Green | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | 5
Buffalo | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7
Central Michigan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | 6
Eastern Michigan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 7
Kent State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8
Miami (OH) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | 6
Northern Illinois | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | 6
Ohio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | 6
Toledo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 6
Western Michigan | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | 4
Totals | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 5+1[a] | 4 | 5 | 5+8[b] | 70+9
Future members
UMass | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | 6

1. ^ Affiliate member UIC
2. ^ Affiliates Bloomsburg, Clarion, Cleveland State, Edinboro, George Mason, Lock Haven, Rider, and SIUE

#### Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the MAC

[edit]

Future members in gray.

School | Ice hockey | Lacrosse | Rifle[a] | Soccer | Swimming & diving | Volleyball

|
|
|
|
|
|

Akron | No | No | GARC | Big East | No | No
Ball State | No | No | No | No | MVC | MIVA
Bowling Green | CCHA | No | No | MVC | No | No
Miami | NCHC | No | No | No | MVC | No
Northern Illinois | No | No | No | MVC | No | No
UMass | Hockey East | A-10 | No | Summit | MVC | No
Western Michigan | NCHC | No | No | MVC | No | No

Notes

1. ^ Rifle is technically a men's sport, but men's, women's, and coed teams all compete against each other. Akron fields a coed team.

### Women's sponsored sports by school

[edit]

School | Basketball | Cross country | Field hockey | Golf | Gymnastics | Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Swimming | Tennis | Track and field
(indoor) | Track and field
(outdoor) | Volleyball | Total MAC sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Akron | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Ball State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12
Bowling Green | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11
Buffalo | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9
Central Michigan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11
Eastern Michigan | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Kent State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11
Miami | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Northern Illinois | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Ohio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Toledo | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Western Michigan | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10
Totals | 12 | 12 | 5+4[a] | 10 | 7 | 4+3[b] | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 124+7
Future members
UMass | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 10

1. ^ Affiliate members Appalachian State, Bellarmine, James Madison, and Longwood.
2. ^ Affiliate members Detroit Mercy, Robert Morris, and Youngstown State

#### Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the MAC

[edit]

Future member in gray.

School | Rifle[a] | Rowing[b] | Synchronized skating[c]

|
|
|

Akron | GARC | No | No
Eastern Michigan | No | CAA | No
Miami | No | No | Independent
Toledo | No | [d] | No
UMass | No | MAC | No

Notes:

1. ^ Rifle is technically a men's sport, but men's, women's, and coed teams all compete against each other. Akron fields a coed team.
2. ^ The MAC will begin sponsoring women's rowing in 2025.
3. ^ Synchronized skating is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating, not by the NCAA. Most synchronized skating teams are clubs not affiliated with any college or university; Miami is one of about 15 schools that sponsor varsity or club teams.
4. ^ Toledo will add women's rowing in 2025–26.[67]

## Football

[edit]

### Scheduling

[edit]

On November 30, 2023, the MAC approved a new scheduling format for football effective for the 2024 season, eliminating its East and West Divisions for the first time since 1996 in favor of a pod-based protected rivalry system. Under the new system, teams will be divided into 4 pods of 3 teams each, and each team will be guaranteed to face the other 2 teams in its pod every season. Additionally, every team in the MAC will be guaranteed to face every other team in the MAC at least once every three years. The MAC Football Championship Game, which previously matched the winner of the East Division against the winner of the West Division, will instead put the two teams in the MAC with the highest conference winning percentage. The pods are as follows:[68][69]

MAC Pods  | School 1  | School 2  | School 3

|
|
|

Pod 1 | Akron  | Buffalo  | Kent State
Pod 2 | Ball State  | Miami (OH)  | Ohio
Pod 3 | Bowling Green  | Northern Illinois  | Toledo
Pod 4 | Central Michigan  | Eastern Michigan  | Western Michigan

### All-time results

[edit]

For the most recent season, see 2024 Mid-American Conference football season.

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2017)

|

[70][when?]

Team  | First season  | All-time record  | All-time win %  | Bowl appearances  | Bowl record  | MAC titles  | Other conference titles  | Stadium  | Head coach

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Akron | 1891  | 518–545–36  | .488  | 3  | 1–2  | 1  | 0  | InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field | Joe Moorhead
Ball State | 1924  | 439–402–32  | .521  | 8  | 1–7  | 5  | 5  | Scheumann Stadium | Mike Neu
Bowling Green | 1919  | 533–364–52  | .589  | 13  | 5–8  | 12  | 5  | Doyt Perry Stadium | Scot Loeffler
Buffalo | 1894  | 385–514–28  | .430  | 6*  | 3–3  | 1  | 1  | University at Buffalo Stadium | Pete Lembo
Central Michigan | 1896  | 603–400–37  | .598  | 9  | 3–6  | 7  | 9  | Kelly/Shorts Stadium | Jim McElwain
Eastern Michigan | 1891  | 443–576–47  | .438  | 4  | 1–3  | 1  | 9  | Rynearson Stadium | Chris Creighton
Kent State | 1920  | 335–535–28  | .389  | 3  | 1-2  | 1  | 0  | Dix Stadium | Kenni Burns
Miami (OH) | 1888  | 674–446–44  | .598  | 10  | 7–3  | 15  | 7  | Yager Stadium | Chuck Martin
Northern Illinois | 1899  | 566–475–51  | .542  | 11  | 4–7  | 6  | 8  | Huskie Stadium | Thomas Hammock
Ohio | 1894  | 579–566–47  | .505  | 13  | 5–8  | 5  | 6  | Peden Stadium | Tim Albin
Toledo | 1917  | 517–416–24  | .553  | 15  | 10–5  | 12  | 3  | Glass Bowl | Jason Candle
Western Michigan | 1905  | 556–439–24  | .557  | 7  | 1–6  | 3  | 1  | Waldo Stadium | Tim Lester

* \- Buffalo invited to Tangerine Bowl in 1958 / Declined due to Florida's segregation laws at the time which would not have allowed Buffalo's two black players to participate.

### MAC champions

[edit]

Main article: MAC Championship Game

Bowl games

In 2017, the MAC was contracted to provide a team for each of five college football bowl games: the Bahamas Bowl, LendingTree Bowl, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Camellia Bowl (later renamed the Salute to Veterans Bowl) and Quick Lane Bowl (later renamed the GameAbove Sports Bowl). The MAC also has secondary agreements with several ESPN-owned bowls.

Name  | Location  | Opposing conference

|
|

Bahamas Bowl | Nassau, Bahamas | C-USA
LendingTree Bowl | Mobile, Alabama | Sun Belt
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Boise, Idaho | Mountain West
Salute to Veterans Bowl | Montgomery, Alabama | Sun Belt
GameAbove Sports Bowl | Detroit, Michigan | Big Ten

Notes

* The MAC champion (if not invited to the College Football Playoff or its associated bowls) is not contractually obligated to any specific bowl. The conference and the universities select which teams will play in which of the league's affiliated bowls.

### College Football Playoff

[edit]

The MAC champion, like the other "Group of 5" conferences receives an automatic berth in one of the so-called New Year's Six bowl games associated with the College Football Playoff under either of the following circumstances:

* Selected as one of the top four teams overall by the CFP selection committee, in which case the team will play in a CFP national semifinal.
* Ranked by the committee as the top champion among the five conferences (American, C-USA, MAC, MW, Sun Belt) given access to one of the CFP bowls, in which case the team will play in the so-called "Access Bowl" as an at-large selection.

The first "Access Bowl" berth in 2014 went to Boise State (MW); the 2015 berth went to Houston (American). The MAC got its first berth in 2016 with Western Michigan, who had an undefeated regular season that year and finished ranked at No. 15 in the AP Poll.

During the era of the now-defunct Bowl Championship Series (BCS), one MAC team appeared in a BCS bowl game. In 2012, NIU qualified by being ranked in the top 16 (15th) in the season's final BCS standings, and also higher than at least one champion of a conference that received an automatic berth in a BCS game. In the 2012 season, two such conference champions were ranked below NIU: Big East champion Louisville, who was ranked 22nd, and Big Ten champion Wisconsin, who was unranked. NIU lost to Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

### Rivalries

[edit]

Football rivalries involving MAC teams include:

Teams | Rivalry name | Trophy | Meetings | Record | Series leader | Current streak

|
|
|
|
|
|

Akron | Kent State | –  | Wagon Wheel | 67 | 37–28–2 | Akron | Akron won 2
Akron | Youngstown State | –  | Steel Tire | 35 | 19–14–2 | Youngstown State | Youngstown State won 3
Ball State | Indiana State | –  | Blue Key Victory Bell | 64 | 39–24–1 | Ball State | Ball State won 1
Ball State | Northern Illinois | –  | Bronze Stalk Trophy | 53 | 25–25–2 | Tie | Ball State won 3
Bowling Green | Kent State |  | Anniversary Award | 92 | 62–24–6 | Bowling Green | Bowling Green won 2
Bowling Green | Toledo | Battle of I-75 | Battle of I-75 Trophy | 90 | 43–42–4 | Toledo | Bowling Green won 1
Central Michigan | Eastern Michigan | Rivalry | – | 102 | 64–32–6 | Central Michigan | Eastern Michigan won 1
Central Michigan | Western Michigan | Rivalry | Victory Cannon | 95 | 53–40–2 | Western Michigan | Central Michigan won 1
Miami | Cincinnati | Battle for the Bell  | Victory Bell | 128 | 61–60–7 | Cincinnati | Cincinnati won 1
Miami | Ohio | Battle of the Bricks | – | 101 | 56–43–2 | Miami | Ohio won 1
Ohio | Marshall | Battle for the Bell | The Bell | 60 | 33–21–6 | Ohio | Marshall won 1
UMass | Boston College | Rivalry | – | 27 | 22–5 | Boston College | Boston College won 11
UMass | New Hampshire | Colonial Clash | – | 74 | 43–28–3 | UMass | New Hampshire won 2
UMass | UConn | Rivalry | – | 78 | 38–38–2 | Tie | UConn won 3

In addition, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan compete for the Michigan MAC Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the best head-to-head record each year. Since the inception of the trophy in 2005, Western Michigan has won 7 times, Central Michigan has won 5 times, and Eastern Michigan has won the trophy 4 times. Western Michigan has won the trophy three straight years (2018–2020) as well as six of seven years from 2014 to 2020 (2014–2016, 2018–2020).

## Basketball

[edit]

Main articles: Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament and Mid-American Conference women's basketball tournament

See also: Mid-American Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year

In August 2010, Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher and the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that the Mid-American Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments would remain in Cleveland at the venue then known as Quicken Loans Arena and now as Rocket Arena through 2017.[71] Both tournaments have flourished since moving to Cleveland in 2000, with the men's semi-finals and championship regularly drawing large crowds at Quicken Loans Arena.[72] In 2007, the MAC also announced a format change for both tournaments, bringing all twelve men's and women's teams to Cleveland. The MAC also co-hosted the 2007 Women's Final Four at Quicken Loans Arena after successfully hosting the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball Regional at the same facility.

On May 12, 2020, Steinbrecher announced a suite of major changes to the conference's competitive format across multiple sports in response to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific to men's and women's basketball, the following changes took effect in 2020–21 and will continue through at least 2023–24:[21]

* The conference adopted a single league table, eliminating the divisional standings.
* The conference schedule increased from 18 to 20 games.
* Only the top eight men's and women's teams advance to their respective conference tournaments.

## Championships

[edit]

Main article: List of Mid-American Conference champions

### Current MAC champions

[edit]

The following are the most recent conference champions of each MAC sport. Champions from the previous academic year are indicated with the calendar year of their title.

In sports in which regular-season and tournament champions are recognized, "RS" indicates regular-season champion and "T" indicates tournament champion.

Fall 2024

| Sport  | School

|

Football  | Ohio (Rs, T), Miami Ohio (Rs)
Soccer (W)  | Western Michigan (Rs, T)
Volleyball (W)  | Bowling Green (Rs), Western Michigan (T)
Cross country (M)  | Toledo
Cross country (W)  | Toledo
Field hockey (W)  | Miami Ohio (Rs, T), Appalachian State (Rs), James Madison (Rs)

Winter 2024–25

| Sport  | School

|

Basketball (M)  | Akron (Rs, T)
Basketball (W)  | Ball State (Rs, T)
Indoor track and field (M)  | Akron
Indoor track and field (W)  | Bowling Green
Swimming and diving (W)  | Akron
Gymnastics (W)  | Kent State (Rs), Central Michigan (T)
Wrestling (M)  | Lock Haven(East Rs, T), Northern Illinois (west Rs), Central Michigan (west Rs)

Spring 2025

| Sport  | School

|

Baseball  |
Softball  |
Outdoor track and field (M)  |
Outdoor track and field (W)  |
Golf (M)  | Kent State
Golf (W)  | Kent State
Tennis (M)  | Buffalo (Rs, T)
Tennis (W)  | Miami Ohio (East Rs), Northern Illinois (west Rs), Buffalo (T)
Lacrosse  | Akron (Rs, T), Eastern Michigan (Rs), Robert Morris (Rs)

## Facilities

[edit]

School  | Football stadium  | Capacity  | Basketball arena  | Capacity  | Baseball stadium  | Capacity

|
|
|
|
|
|

Akron | InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field | 30,000  | James A. Rhodes Arena | 5,500  | Skeeles Field | 1,500
Ball State | Scheumann Stadium | 22,500[73] | John E. Worthen Arena | 11,500 | Ball Diamond | 1,700
Bowling Green | Doyt Perry Stadium | 24,000  | Stroh Center | 4,700  | Warren E. Steller Field | 2,500
Buffalo | University at Buffalo Stadium | 25,013  | Alumni Arena | 6,100  | Non-baseball school
Central Michigan | Kelly/Shorts Stadium | 35,127  | McGuirk Arena | 5,300  | Bill Theunissen Stadium | 2,046
Eastern Michigan | Rynearson Stadium | 30,200  | George Gervin GameAbove Center | 8,800  | Oestrike Stadium | 1,313
Kent State | Dix Stadium | 25,319  | Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center | 6,327  | Schoonover Stadium | 1,130
Miami | Yager Stadium | 30,087  | Millett Hall | 6,400  | Stanley G. McKie Field at Joseph P. Hayden Jr. Park | 1,000
Northern Illinois | Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium | 23,595  | Convocation Center | 10,000  | Ralph McKinzie Field | 1,500
Ohio | Peden Stadium | 24,000  | Convocation Center | 13,080  | Bob Wren Stadium | 4,000
Toledo | Glass Bowl | 36,852  | Savage Arena | 7,300  | Scott Park Baseball Complex | 1,000
Massachusetts | Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium | 17,000  | Mullins Center | 9,493  | Earl Lorden Field | 1,000
Western Michigan | Waldo Stadium | 36,361  | University Arena | 5,421  | Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Judson Hyames Field | 1,500

## Athletic department revenue by school

[edit]

Total revenue includes ticket sales, contributions and donations, rights and licensing, student fees, school funds and all other sources including TV income, camp income, concessions, and novelties.

Total expenses includes coach and staff salaries, scholarships, buildings and grounds, maintenance, utilities and rental fees, recruiting, team travel, equipment and uniforms, conference dues, and insurance.

The following table shows institutional reporting to the U.S. Department of Education as shown on the DOE Equity in Athletics website for the 2021–22 academic year.[74]

Institution  | 2021–22 total revenue from athletics  | 2021–22 total expenses on athletics

|
|

University of Massachusetts | $43,882,480  | $43,882,480
Miami University | $37,880,709  | $37,880,709
Western Michigan University | $34,422,529  | $34,422,529
University of Toledo | $33,812,616  | $33,812,616
Central Michigan University | $33,368,289  | $33,368,289
Eastern Michigan University | $33,009,018  | $33,009,018
University at Buffalo | $31,053,452  | $30,998,762
Kent State University | $29,289,419  | $29,289,419
Ball State University | $28,526,892  | $28,526,892
Ohio University | $27,605,053  | $27,605,053
Bowling Green State University | $25,573,968  | $25,353,774
University of Akron | $25,543,542  | $25,335,181
Northern Illinois University | $21,413,044  | $21,413,044

## Hall of Fame

[edit]

The Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame was the first Division I conference Hall of Fame.[75] It was established in 1987 and classes have been inducted in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2012 and 2013.[76][77]

In order to be eligible, a person must have participated during the time the university was in the MAC and five years must have passed from the time the individual participated in athletics or worked in the athletic department.[75]

The following is a list of the members of the MAC Hall of Fame, along with school affiliation, sport(s) for which they were inducted, and year of induction.

* Harold Anderson, Bowling Green, basketball, 1991
* Janet Bachna, Kent State, gymnastics, 1992
* Joe Begala, Kent State, wrestling, 1991
* Tom Beutler, Toledo, football, 1994
* Kermit Blosser, Ohio, golf, 1988
* Jim Corrigall, Kent State, football, 1994
* Hasely Crawford, Eastern Michigan, track and field, 1991
* Ben Curtis, Kent State, golf, 2012
* Caroline (Mast) Daugherty, Ohio, basketball, 1994
* Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan, football, 2012
* Chuck Ealey, Toledo, football, 1988
* Fran Ebert, Western Michigan, softball / basketball, 1992
* Wayne Embry, Miami, basketball, 2012
* Karen Fitzpatrick, Ball State, field hockey, 2012
* John Gill, WMU athlete / coach / administrator, 1994
* Maurice Harvey, Ball State, football, 1992
* Bill Hess, Ohio, football coach, 1992
* Gary Hogeboom, Central Michigan, football, 1994
* Fred Jacoby, MAC commissioner, 1990
* Bob James, MAC commissioner, 1989
* Ron Johnson, Eastern Michigan, football, 1988
* Dave Keilitz, Central Michigan, baseball, 2013
* Ted Kjolhede, Central Michigan, basketball, 1988
* Kim Knuth, Toledo, women's basketball, 2013
* Ken Kramer, Ball State, football, 1991
* Bill Lajoie, Western Michigan, baseball, 1991
* Jack Lambert, Kent State, football, 1988
* Frank Lauterbur, Toledo, football, 1990
* Mel Long, Toledo, football, 1992
* Charlier Maher, Western Michigan, baseball, 1989
* Bill Mallory, Miami/Northern Illinois, football, 2013
* Brad Maynard, Ball State, football, 2013
* Ray McCallum, Ball State, basketball, 1988
* Jack McLain, MAC football official, 1992
* Karen Michalak, Central Michigan, basketball / track and field / field hockey, 1992
* Gordon Minty, Eastern Michigan, track and field, 1994
* Steve Mix, Toledo, basketball, 1989
* Thurman Munson, Kent State, baseball, 1990
* Ira Murchinson, Western Michigan, track and field, 1990
* Don Nehlen, Bowling Green, football, 1994
* Manny Newsome, Western Michigan, basketball, 1988
* Bob Nichols, Toledo, basketball, 2012
* John Offerdahl, Western Michigan, football, 2013
* Bob Owchinko, Eastern Michigan, baseball, 1992
* Ara Parseghian, Miami, football, 1988
* Doyt Perry, Bowling Green, football, 1988
* John Pont, Miami, football player / coach, 1992
* John Pruis, Ball State, president, 1994
* Trevor Rees, Kent State, football, 1989
* David Reese, MAC commissioner, 1988
* George Rider, Miami, track and field, 1989
* William Rohr, Miami, basketball coach 1994
* Dan Roundfield, Central Michigan, basketball, 1990
* Bo Schembechler, Miami, football coach, 1991
* Mike Schmidt, Ohio, baseball, 2012
* Dick Shrider, Miami, basketball, 1990
* Christi Smith, Akron, track and field, 2013
* Jim Snyder, Ohio, basketball, 1991
* Shafer Suggs, Ball State, football, 1989
* Nate Thurmond, Bowling Green, basketball, 1989
* Gary Trent, Ohio, men's basketball, 2013
* Phil Villapiano, Bowling Green, football, 1992
* Bob Welch, Eastern Michigan, baseball, 1990
* Dave Wottle, Bowling Green, track and field, 1990
* Bob Wren, Ohio, baseball, 1989

## Media

[edit]

### Broadcasts

[edit]

A number of MAC sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling and volleyball, are telecast on Spectrum Sports, replacing SportsTime Ohio and Fox Sports Ohio as the MAC TV partner.[78] Along with Spectrum Sports, ESPN, as well as the American Sports Network, retain the "local and regional" syndication telecast rights to the MAC for football and basketball.

In 2000 ESPN began broadcasting MAC football games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The conference agreed to the unusual schedule to increase television ratings by not competing against other football. Fans nicknamed the midweek games MACtion. In 2014 the conference and ESPN agreed to a new contract for 13 years. Each school receives more than $800,000 annually, and plays most November games on weekday nights; 16 of 18 games in 2016 were not on Saturdays, for example. While MACtion decreases stadium attendance, games appear on an ESPN channel to a nationwide audience instead of a less-popular channel or streaming media.[79] While noting the smaller attendance, coaches say that midweek games are good for the conference, and give players a break on Saturdays.[80]

Ball State produces its own comprehensive television package with Ball State Sports Link. Affiliate stations include WIPB in Muncie, WNDY in Indianapolis, WPTA in Fort Wayne, WHME in South Bend, WTVW in Evansville, WYIN in Merrillville and Comcast in Michigan. All Ball State Sports Link games are also broadcast on student radio station WCRD and on the Ball State Radio Network produced by WLBC-FM and Backyard Broadcasting.

NIU has multiple football and basketball games telecast by Comcast SportsNet Chicago. In addition, most NIU football and basketball games can be heard on WSCR-AM 670 "The Score"—Chicago's powerful 50,000-watt, top-rated all-sports station, which reaches 38 states and Canada.

### MAC Properties

[edit]

MAC Properties (a division of ISP Sports) is the sponsorship arm of the Mid-American Conference, and handles all forms of sponsorship and advertising for the MAC which includes managing and growing its stable of official corporate partners. As of 2010, the MAC has five official corporate partners: FirstEnergy, Marathon, PNC Bank, AutoTrader.com and Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. There are approximately 20 other companies engaged as sponsors of the conference at the non-official level. MAC Properties also assists with the management of the conference's television and radio contracts, including those with ESPN Regional, FOX Sports Ohio and ESPN 850 WKNR among others.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "MAC Football Programs Lead I-A Public Institutions In Graduation Success Rates" (Press release). Temple Owls. September 29, 2006. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
2. ^ The Lima News, February 19, 1953
3. ^ "Volume high, but conference movement itself not unprecedented". NCAA. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
4. ^ Wilson, Tracy (December 15, 2006). "The Real Story Behind We Are Marshall". Retrieved November 8, 2011.
5. ^ "2016 MAC Football Media Guide -- History & Records.pdf" (PDF). Dropbox.
6. ^ "2015 FH Record Book" (PDF). Mid-American Conference.
7. ^ "Missouri State Will Join Mid-American Conference in Men's Swimming". Missouri State University. August 7, 2009. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
8. ^ Carvelli, Michael (April 3, 2012). "West Virginia men's soccer team to join the Mid-American Conference next season". The Daily Athenaeum. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
9. ^ a b c "SIU-Edwardsville joins Mid-American Conference as affiliate member in two sports". Hustle Belt/Vox Media, Inc. June 2, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
10. ^ a b c "SIUE men's soccer to join MAC immediately". The Telegraph. June 8, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
11. ^ Elton Alexander (April 19, 2011). "University of Massachusetts football to join Mid-American Conference, sources say". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
12. ^ UMass Football Will Leave Mid-American Conference at End of 2015 - University of Massachusetts Official Athletic Site Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Umassathletics.com (2014-03-26). Retrieved on 2014-04-12.
13. ^ "Temple joining Big East for football in 2012, other sports in 2013". Retrieved June 2, 2017.
14. ^ "Temple to play Big East football next season". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
15. ^ Staff (November 6, 2019). "MAC adding women's lacrosse for 2020-21". Associated Press. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
16. ^ a b Logue, Brian (November 6, 2019). "MAC Starts Division I Women's Lacrosse League; Eastern Michigan To Add Program". US Lacrosse Magazine. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
17. ^ a b c "MAC to Suspend Sponsoring Men's Soccer Following 2022 Season" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
18. ^ "Missouri Valley Conference To Expand in Men's Soccer for 2023" (Press release). Missouri Valley Conference. November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
19. ^ "BIG EAST Adds Akron For Men's Soccer" (Press release). Big East Conference. November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
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21. ^ a b Strack, Jordan (May 12, 2020). "Major changes coming to Mid-American Conference". Toledo, OH: WTOL. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
22. ^ Withers, Tom (February 27, 2024). "UMass will join Mid-American Conference as a full sports member in 2025, MAC commissioner says". Associated Press. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
23. ^ Hernandez, Victoria (February 26, 2024). "UMass to join MAC conference, including previously independent football, per reports". USA Today. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
24. ^ a b "Mid-American Conference to add Women's Rowing in 2025-26" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. July 19, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
25. ^ Bromberg, Nick (January 3, 2025). "Northern Illinois set to move to Mountain West as football-only member". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
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27. ^ Vannini, Chris; Baker, Matt (February 24, 2025). "Northern Illinois plans to move non-football programs to Horizon League in 2026". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
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31. ^ "National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, part of the U.S. Department of Education". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
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33. ^ "MAC adds Missouri, Northern Iowa and Old Dominion as wrestling members". Fox News. September 19, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
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35. ^ "Sun Belt Men's Soccer to Re-Debut in Fall 2014" (Press release). Sun Belt Conference. February 11, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
36. ^ "Binghamton Joins in Men's Tennis and Longwood in Field Hockey" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. April 21, 2014. Archived from the original on June 15, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
37. ^ Ryder, Nic (June 8, 2017). "Official: UNI and Fresno State Joining Big 12". IAWrestle.com. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
38. ^ "Missouri State Athletics to Restructure Sport Offerings, Reduce Expenses" (Press release). Missouri State Athletics. April 3, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
39. ^ "Appalachian State Joins MAC as Affiliate Member in Field Hockey" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
40. ^ a b "MAC Welcomes SIU Edwardsville as Men's Soccer Affiliate Member in 2017" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
41. ^ Schofield, Paul (March 5, 2019). "Division I Eastern Wrestling League to merge with MAC next season". Trib Total Media. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
42. ^ "Robert Morris to Join MAC as Affiliate Member in Women's Lacrosse" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
43. ^ "MVC Adds SIUE as Men's Soccer Affiliate" (Press release). Missouri Valley Conference. June 12, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
44. ^ "Big 12 Adds Missouri as Affiliate Member in Wrestling" (Press release). Big 12 Conference. April 22, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
45. ^ "Bellarmine to Join MAC as Affiliate Member in Field Hockey" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. June 9, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
46. ^ "Georgia Southern, Georgia State Added As Affiliate Members in Men's Soccer" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
47. ^ "Valparaiso To Join MAC As Affiliate Member In Men's Swimming & Diving" (Press release). Mid=American Conference. March 4, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
48. ^ "MSOC: West Virginia Added as C-USA Soccer Member for 2022" (Press release). Conference USA. June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
49. ^ "Sun Belt Conference Announces Return of Men's Soccer This Fall" (Press release). Sun Belt Conference. April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
50. ^ "Chicago State Men's Soccer Joins Mid-American Conference as an Affiliate Member". gocsucougars.com. May 27, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
51. ^ "UIC to Join MAC As Affiliate Member in Men's Swimming & Diving" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. August 30, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
52. ^ "University of Illinois Chicago to Join MAC As Affiliate Member in Men's Tennis" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. June 5, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
53. ^ "James Madison To Join MAC As Affiliate Member in Field Hockey" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. April 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
54. ^ "MVC To Sponsor Men's Swimming & Diving in 2024-25" (Press release). Missouri Valley Conference. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
55. ^ "Team Colors, Mascots, Names". Case Western Reserve University. 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
56. ^ a b c "Year-By-Year Standings" (PDF). 2013 MAC Men's Soccer Media Guide. Mid-American Conference. pp. 25–26. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
57. ^ "MAC Men's Tennis Tournament History" (PDF). 2012 MAC Men's Tennis Record Book. Mid-American Conference. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
58. ^ a b "Annual MAC Standings" (PDF). 2018 MAC Field Hockey Record Book. Mid-American Conference. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
59. ^ "AAU Member Institutions and Years of Admission". Association of American Universities. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
60. ^ a b "Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup". Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
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67. ^ "University of Toledo to Add Women's Rowing as a Varsity Sport in 2025-26" (Press release). Toledo Rockets. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
68. ^ "MAC Establishes New Football Schedule Model" (Press release). Mid-American Conference. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
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## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mid-American Conference.

* Official website

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Mid-American Conference

Full members|

* Akron Zips
* Ball State Cardinals
* Bowling Green Falcons
* Buffalo Bulls
* Central Michigan Chippewas
* Eastern Michigan Eagles
* Kent State Golden Flashes
* Miami RedHawks
* Northern Illinois Huskies (leaving in 2026)
* Ohio Bobcats
* Toledo Rockets
* Western Michigan Broncos

Future members|

* UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen (joining in 2025)

Field hockey affiliates|

* Appalachian State Mountaineers
* Bellarmine Knights
* James Madison Dukes
* Longwood Lancers

Women's lacrosse affiliates|

* Detroit Mercy Titans
* Robert Morris Colonials
* Youngstown State Penguins

Women's rowing affiliates
(from 2025–26)|

* Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens
* High Point Panthers
* Temple Owls

Men's tennis affiliate|

* UIC Flames

Wrestling affiliates|

* Bloomsburg Huskies
* Clarion Golden Eagles
* Cleveland State Vikings (leaving in 2025)
* Edinboro Fighting Scots
* George Mason Patriots
* Lock Haven Bald Eagles
* Rider Broncs
* SIU Edwardsville Cougars

Seasons|

* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1949–50
* 1950–51
* 1951–52
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–00
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Championships|

* Conference champions

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NCAA Division I all-sports conferences

FBS|

* The American
* Atlantic Coast
* Big 12
* Big Ten
* CUSA
* Mid-American
* Mountain West
* Pac-12
* Southeastern
* Sun Belt

FCS - Full|

* Big Sky
* Ivy
* MEAC
* Northeast
* Patriot
* SoCon
* Southland
* SWAC

FCS - Alliance|

* OVC–Big South (Ohio Valley / Big South)
* CAA FB (CAA / Atlantic 10 / America East)
* Missouri Valley FB (Missouri Valley / Summit)
* United (ASUN / WAC)

Non-Football|

* Big East
* Big West
* Horizon
* MAAC
* West Coast

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NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conferences

Current conferences|

| Power Four|

* ACC
* Big Ten
* Big 12
* SEC

|

Group of Five|

* The American
* CUSA
* Mid-American
* Mountain West
* Sun Belt

Others|

* Pac-12
* Independents

Past conferences|

* Big East (1991–2013)
* Big West (1978–2001)
* Big 8 (1978–1996)
* Ivy (1978–1982)
* Missouri Valley (1978–1986)
* SoCon (1978–1982)
* Southland (1978–1982)
* Southwest (1978–1996)
* WAC (1978–2012)

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