Original: Other organizations in New York with "Upstate" in their name include the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association, the Upstate Correctional Facility, the Upstate New York Club Hockey League, the Upstate New York Synod, and the Upstate Citizens for Equality.
Simplified: The people who live in upstate New York came from different places than the people who live in New York City. Also, upstate New York is more conservative politically.