Founded in 1940, Iona College is a Master's granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre campus is just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. Iona Athletics is an NCAA Division I program with more than 350 student-athletes competing in 21 varsity sports and competing primarily in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Iona athletics is committed as a department to its core values —building champions in academics, athletics, in the community and in life; integrity; collective responsibility; commitment to excellence; and fighting the good fight. Since the 2017-18 academic year, the Gaels have won 12 conference championships in men’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men's golf, men's soccer and women's volleyball. The Maroon & Gold landed 204 student athletes on the MAAC Academic Honor Roll, recognizing those with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.