General 8/17/2022 11:00:00 AM

Longtime MAAC Commissioner Richard Ensor Announces Retirement at the End of 2022-23

Rich Ensor's Full Bio

EDISON, NJ (August 17, 2022) – Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Commissioner Richard J. Ensor, Esq., announced his retirement today. The MAAC Commissioner since 1988, Ensor’s tenure will conclude at the end of the 2022-23 season.

It has been a privilege to serve as Commissioner of the MAAC since 1988 and represent a conference dedicated to achieving success in academics and athletics,” notes Ensor. “I want to thank the generations of coaches, athletes and administrators who have competed in the MAAC during my tenure for their commitment to these goals and the MAAC Council of Presidents for their on-going support.

I also want to single out the numerous MAAC staff members who contributed through their individual commitments to the success of the league,” continued Ensor. “It is a source of pride for me to see how these former staff members have succeeded in their own careers that often began as entry level fellows and directors at the MAAC.

Finally, I want to thank my family for their support and understanding of the many time demands that a Commissioner juggles in managing a NCAA Division I Conference,” said Ensor. “Deirdre Ensor has been an integral part of my own success as she managed our family. It has been a great journey together.

The longest tenured NCAA Division I multi-sport conference commissioner, Ensor has held his post at the MAAC since August 1988, when he was named as the third commissioner of the MAAC. When Ensor’s tenure culminates next June, he will have served as MAAC commissioner for approximately 35 years; the longest DI commissioner term in NCAA history, surpassing Doug Elgin of the Missouri Valley Conference, who held his post at the MVC for 33 years.

Rich Ensor has been an outstanding commissioner of the Metro Athletic Atlantic Conference for nearly 34 years. Throughout his tenure he has maintained a critical focus on the student-athlete experience, as well as a focus on strong advocacy for the inclusion of women's sports, with women's basketball being a powerful example. In the ever-changing world of NCAA athletics, his steady leadership has provided the conference with strength and stability; his innovative leadership has led to a groundbreaking partnership with ESPN as well as the expansion of the conference membership. His guidance has laid the groundwork for the continued success of the conference, including the groundbreaking global success of the Saint Peter's men's basketball program during March Madness of this year. The enduring and future success of the MAAC has Rich Ensor's imprint on it, as well as the legacy of critical partnerships and relationships within collegiate athletics and beyond.

Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., President of Niagara University and MAAC President

The MAAC has thrived significantly under Ensor’s guidance and has been at the forefront of evolution throughout his tenure.

When Ensor was hired in 1988, the MAAC sponsored 13 sports and championships and held just two NCAA Championship automatic qualifications (men’s basketball and women’s basketball). Those quantities have since grown to 24 sports and championships and 15 NCAA AQs during his time at the helm of the league. In addition to the current 24 sports, the MAAC also previously sponsored both a football league and ice hockey league, at which time the conference sponsored a league-record 26 sports.

A pioneer of equity, Ensor has been involved with the growth of women’s sports and more specifically, women’s basketball. He serves on the boards of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, has chaired the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee and has been a past member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. Ensor was instrumental in combining the women’s basketball tournament with the men’s basketball tournament in 1992 at what was then called Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, NY (currently MVP Arena), having both tournaments run simultaneously at the same neutral site for 30 consecutive years – the longest running combined neutral site basketball tournaments in DI. The WBCA has honored Ensor twice for his contributions to women’s basketball with the coach’s association’s Presidents Award in 2014 and as its Administrator of the Year in 2015.

In the late 90’s, Ensor expanded the MAAC’s reach both nationally and internationally.

In the summer of 1998, the league would announce a partnership with Disney’s Wide World of Sports (WWOS) in Orlando, FL as part of the conference’s mission to provide a world-class sports championship experience for its student-athletes, their families, and fans. The inaugural event hosted at Disney would be the 1998 MAAC Volleyball Championship. The partnership between the MAAC and Disney has continued and expanded over the past 23 years, adding men’s and women’s cross country, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer in alternating years during the fall, and men’s and women’s golf annually held in Disney during the spring. Furthermore, Ensor and the MAAC have also brought basketball to the Disney stage, co-hosting the ESPN Events Invitational (previously the Old Spice Classic) annually since 2006 during Thanksgiving and more recently a pair of MAAC/ASUN Challenges in 2019 and 2021, with both events played inside of the ESPN WWOS Field House.

During the same summer in July, Ensor took MAAC basketball international, creating a men’s basketball All-Star team and taking them on an eight-game exhibition tour through Japan. The team traveled to six cities over a 14-day period, making stops in Fukuokam Kobe, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Fukui. Seven years later during the summer of 2005, Ensor and the MAAC would again sponsor a men’s basketball All-Star Tour, this time taking 12 student-athletes from the 10 member institutions on a two-week, seven game exhibition tour of China. Since, the MAAC has partnered with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Sports Changes Life to host two Belfast Classics (2018 and 2019) in Northern Ireland and will co-host the MAAC/ASUN Dublin Challenge in Dublin, Ireland and London Basketball Classic in London, England both in the fall of 2022.

Ensor has also put the MAAC on a national and regional broadcast scene, showcasing the league’s premiere sports through top networks such as ESPN, MSG Network, SportsChannel-NY, to name a few. During his first year at the helm of the conference, Ensor signed a television deal with SportsChannel, allowing the company to broadcast eight men’s basketball games during the 1988-89 season. By 1995, that quantity would increase to 19 men’s games and five women’s game, which included the women’s semifinals and championship game. Shortly after, in the summer of 1995, Ensor and the MAAC would agree on an unprecedented eight appearances nationally on ESPN and ESPN2, also featuring the women’s basketball championship airing live on ESPN2 for the first time ever. By 2011, Ensor, the MAAC and ESPN would announce a six-year rights agreement extension for enhanced coverage of MAAC men’s and women’s basketball across multiple platforms, with the deal featuring a record of 80 national appearances over 40 scheduled contests – the most ever for the MAAC. The conference would continue to grow its partnership with ESPN in May 2014 with the launch of the MAAC branded ESPN3 channel and school produced ESPN3 broadcasts. In May 2016, Ensor embarked on a new eight-year agreement with ESPN to include broadcast annually on ESPN2, ESNPU, ESPN3, and ESPN+ including men' and women's basketball and championships from ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL. The deal also catapulted ESPN3 school productions in which all MAAC member institutions will have fully operational ESPN facilities/trucks and each school produces and transmits their own broadcast to ESPN. The agreement to have school’s producing upwards to 600 broadcasts a year by 2025-26, was exceeded in 2021-22, with MAAC schools producing a conference-record 646 total ESPN productions.

Ensor is a 1975 graduate of MAAC charter member, Saint Peter’s University (formerly College). In 1982, he was awarded a Master's degree in sports management with honors from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and in 1987 he graduated from Seton Hall University's School of Law and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in June of that year. Ensor has served in many administrative capacities in college sports prior to his time as MAAC Commissioner, including positions at his alma mater, Saint Louis University and Seton Hall University.

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What They are Saying about Ensor:

“Under Rich’s strong and innovative leadership, the MAAC has grown significantly. During his tenure, Rich has elevated the conference to an academically and athletically competitive mid-major program. He has been an influential leader in collegiate athletics on the local, regional, national and international levels.”

Barbara Church, retired MAAC Senior Associate Commissioner

The MAAC and its members owe a great deal to Rich for his leadership. He has had the conference out in front of many strategic moves, whether it was to be among the first conferences to align with ESPNU and ESPN's streaming platforms, combining the men's and women's basketball tournament to provide a great experience for all basketball student-athletes while developing a model attractive to communities and venues, or providing outstanding championship experiences for all of our sports. Rich's creative thinking and willingness to push us all to take some risks has made the MAAC better. His astute understanding of the national landscape and the NCAA legislative process has benefited all mid-major conferences. Personally, he has been a great resource to me over the years as we have worked together to make all us better.

John D’Argenio, Siena College Vice President/Director of Athletics

Rich is a staunch ally of and friend to women’s basketball, coaches of women’s basketball, and our association. He has faithfully served our association and our sport as a longtime member of the WBCA Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Finance Committee as well as the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees. Rich deservedly has been presented the WBCA’s President’s Award and has been recognized as the WBCA Administrator of the Year. He personally is a trusted advisor, encourager, and colleague on whom I know I can rely. The WBCA’s family of coaches is forever grateful for all Rich has done for the coaching profession and the sport.

Danielle Donehew, Executive Director of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association

What an incredible 34-year run as the MAAC Commissioner! I cannot imagine another Division I Commissioner in the county who has worked any harder than Rich Ensor for almost four decades. Division I athletics have changed a great deal in his tenure, and Rich has been a force in that change. His steadfast leadership and vision have led to the development of successful, long-term partnerships with Disney, ESPN, Sport Changes Life Foundation, Basketball Hall of Fame, and others, greatly improving the experience for the MAAC’s student-athletes, coaches, and institutions. Rich has served and represented the MAAC on countless national committees during his tenure, most recently driving significant change through his efforts with the women’s basketball national championship. His prioritization of academics along with athletics, as well the as the conference’s commitment to hosting high-profile events in the United States and internationally, have given the MAAC a recognizable brand in the landscape of college athletics. Thank you, Rich, for all your late-night drives home from games, thousands of hotels nights away from your family, countless committee calls and meetings, always working to make the MAAC a continued success! Your leadership in college athletics will be significantly missed.

Tim Murray, Marist College Director of Athletics

Rich has dedicated his life to collegiate athletics. He recognizes the power of sport and its ability to change the trajectory of a person’s life. He has provided countless opportunities to young people and been committed to developing the next generation of administrators. We owe a debt of gratitude to Rich and his tireless commitment to college athletics and student-athletes.

Michelle Perry, Gamechangers Consulting President & CEO

I want to thank Rich for all he has done for the MAAC and the student-athletes. Serving on the hiring committee that chose Rich as MAAC Commissioner, I know we made a great choice. He was instrumental in moving the MAAC Basketball Tournament off campus sites, he moved championships down to Disney, and he created more championships for student-athletes. On a personal level, even after I left Saint Peter’s, Rich always remained a good friend, inviting me to MAAC Basketball Tournaments over the years; he never forgot about me. Enjoy your retirement.

Bill Stein, Saint Peter’s Director of Athletics Emeritus

Rich Ensor has had a long and distinguished career as Commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, in addition to working with and supporting many other sports, law and academic organizations. Rich has always demonstrated outstanding leadership, professionalism, scholarship and business acumen. Congratulations and best wishes for the next chapter(s)!

Glenn M. Wong, Executive Director and Professor, Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program, Sandra Day O’ Connor College of Law, Arizona State University

The MAAC by the Numbers under Ensor’s Leadership

NCAA Hosted Events and Future Hosting

Year	Sport	Event	City
1995	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Albany, NY
2000	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2000	Cross Country	Northeast Regional	Van Cortlandt Park, NY
2003	Men’s Basketball	East Regional	Albany, NY
2003	Men's Ice Hockey	Frozen Four	Buffalo, NY
2004	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2006	Women's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Trenton, NJ
2007	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2009	Women's Basketball	Regionals	Trenton, NJ
2010	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2011	Wrestling	National Championships (DI)	Philadelphia, PA
2012	Women's Rowing	National Championships (DI, DII, DIII)	Lake Mercer, NJ
2013	Women's Basketball	Regionals	Bridgeport, CT
2014	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2015	Women's Basketball	Regionals	Albany, NY
2016	Cross Country	Northeast Regional	Van Cortlandt Park, NY
2017	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2017	Women's Rowing	National Championships (DI, DII, DIII)	Lake Mercer, NJ
2018	Women's Basketball	Regionals	Albany, NY
2019	Men's Ice Hockey	Frozen Four	Buffalo, NY
2020	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Albany, NY
2022	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY
2023	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Albany, NY
2024	Women's Basketball	Regionals	Albany, NY
2025	Women's Rowing	National Championships (DI, DII, DIII)	Lake Mercer, NJ
2026	Men's Basketball	First & Second Rounds	Buffalo, NY

MAAC Events at Disney’s Wide World of Sports

Year	Sport	Event
1998	Volleyball	Championship
1999	Men’s Soccer	Championship
2000	Men’s and Women’s Cross Country	Championship
2000	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2001	Women’s Soccer	Championship
2001	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2002	Volleyball	Championship
2002	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2003	Men’s Soccer	Championship
2003	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2004	Men’s and Women’s Cross Country	Championship
2004	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2005	Women’s Soccer	Championship
2005	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2006	Volleyball	Championship
2006	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2006	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2007	Men’s Soccer	Championship
2007	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2007	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2008	Men’s and Women’s Cross Country	Championship
2008	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2008	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2009	Women’s Soccer	Championship
2009	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2009	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2010	Volleyball	Championship
2010	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2010	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2011	Men’s Soccer	Championship
2011	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2011	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2012	Men’s and Women’s Cross Country	Championship
2012	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2012	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2013	Women’s Soccer	Championship
2013	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2013	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2014	Volleyball	Championship
2014	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2014	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2015	Men’s Soccer	Championship
2015	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2015	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2016	Men’s and Women’s Cross Country	Championship
2016	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2016	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2017	Women’s Soccer	Championship
2017	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2017	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2018	Volleyball	Championship
2018	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2018	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2019	Men’s Soccer	Championship
2019	Men’s and Women’s Basketball	MAAC/ASUN Challenge
2019	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2019	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship
2021	Men’s and Women’s Cross Country	Championship
2021	Men’s and Women’s Basketball	MAAC/ASUN Challenge
2021	Men’s Basketball	ESPN Events Invitational
2022	Men’s and Women’s Golf	Championship

MAAC International Hosted Events

Year	Event	Location
1998	MAAC All-Star Exhibition	Japan
2005	MAAC All-Star Exhibition	China
2018	Belfast Classic	Belfast, Ireland
2019	Belfast Classic	Belfast, Ireland
2022	MAAC/ASUN Dublin Challenge	Dublin, Ireland
2022	London Basketball Classic	London, England

ESPN Year-by-Year School Productions

Year	ESPN Productions
2017-18	325
2018-19	411
2019-20	428
2020-21	378
2021-22	646

About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 42nd year of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.

Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.