Iona

The Iona University Gaels embody a dynastic basketball tradition, a tough New York attitude, and an unrelenting will to win from their home in New Rochelle. The university's name is synonymous with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball, where the Gaels have created one of the most dominant mid-major dynasties in the nation, making an incredible 17 appearances in the NCAA March Madness tournament. Iona's legacy has been shaped by a lineage of legendary coaches, from Jim Valvano, who led the program to its first NCAA bids, to Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, who has guided the Gaels in two separate, successful eras. This winning culture is forged inside the Hynes Athletics Center, a famously loud and intimate arena known as a "snake pit" for visiting teams, providing one of the best home-court advantages in the country. The Gaels' championship mentality extends to the men's cross country program, which has built one of the most remarkable dynasties in NCAA history with over 30 consecutive conference championships. The Iona Gaels are the gold standard of their conference, a proud and battle-tested program that is built for the bright lights of March.