NAPLES, Fla. — Recognized as one of the nation’s leading conferences committed to student-athlete welfare and opportunities, the Atlantic 10 Conference approved four new measures enhancing this commitment during last week’s Annual Spring Business Meetings.
In addition to these meaningful action items, the league’s athletic directors and head basketball coaches discussed the current status of the new NCAA governance system, the impact of the recent survey related to student-athlete time demands and the recently published NCAA Values Based Revenue Distribution concepts. Representatives from the league’s media and sponsorship partners and the future host of A-10 Men’s Basketball Championship delivered valuable and informative presentations focused on the conference’s future growth.
“Our student-athletes continue to be at the core of our decision making. I commend our membership for taking important steps to ensure that we provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes,” A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade stated. “Student-athlete time demands, opportunities, health, safety and welfare are a top priority for the A-10 amidst a complex landscape in higher education and intercollegiate athletics.”
First, the A-10 voted to create a pilot program for men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes focused on expanding the on-campus commitment to the personal and professional development of student-athletes. The pilot program will bring together basketball student-athletes who have completed at least one year of eligibility from all 14 member institutions for a two-day summit. They will be provided with intense, interactive educational sessions designed to enhance decision making, prepare for life after college and harness the power of social media in a positive, productive way. The first in-person summit will take place in spring 2017, allowing student-athletes from different member institutions the opportunity to grow and learn as student colleagues, rather than as athletic opponents in competition.
Second, reflective of the existing growing trends within the Division I landscape, the coaches and athletic directors engaged in an extensive discussion regarding the Atlantic 10 intra-conference transfer policies, and the league rescinded a restrictive policy related to Olympic sport transfers to fully align with existing NCAA undergraduate transfer policies, allowing for the one-time transfer relief within the current legislation.
Third, in light of a number of national issues that have gained recent notoriety, the athletic directors reaffirmed a universal commitment by the conference and each member institution to non-discriminatory policies and procedures for all sports during both regular season and championship events. Host Institutions and neutral site venues will be required to reiterate their commitment provide a safe, non-discriminatory environment for all students, coaches and administrators.
Fourth, the athletic directors approved a new set of competition dates and format for the A-10 men’s and women’s soccer championships. This was enacted due to an expanded championship bracket and its impact on the participants related to health, safety and student welfare. Previously, the three-round championship was played over four days. Starting in 2017, the first round will take place on campus sites earlier than the previous first round dates. Winning teams will then advance to the championship semifinal and final at a single campus site.
The directors and coaches also examined a number of key national basketball topics. Dan Gavitt, NCAA Vice President of Men’s Basketball Championships, attended the meetings and engaged with the athletic directors and coaches on a variety of topics related to the current landscape of men’s basketball and the Atlantic 10’s national position within that landscape. Gavitt updated the membership on the work of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and the NCAA Selection Committee’s work.
The Directors also met with Scott Zimmerman, Director of Booking at CONSOL Energy Center, who presented an overview of the efforts underway in Pittsburgh at the arena, which will host the A-10 2017 Men’s Basketball Championship. Highlighting a long commitment to hosting NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament games as well as regular season men's college games, Zimmerman reviewed marketing, ticket sales and hospitality plans for the teams and fans.
On Tuesday night, the league recognized the contributions of retired Dayton athletic director Tim Wabler and his wife, Arlene, as well as the outgoing chair of the Athletic Directors Committee, Patrick Nero of George Washington. Ed McLaughlin, VCU’s Director of Athletics, steps into that role as of July 1.
Upon the close of the meetings the Directors received the tragic news of the passing of Dayton men’s basketball student-athlete Steve McElvene. The Directors offered their deepest sympathy and their continued support to the entire Dayton community and the McElvene family during this difficult time.
"As outgoing Chair, this spring meeting was both validating and sobering. We reaffirmed our commitment to the ideals of the student-athlete, and ensured that the Atlantic 10 Conference remains welcoming, inclusive and diverse. Having Dan Gavitt address the group was also a necessary reminder that the A-10 is as strong of a basketball-centric conference as any other in the country,” said Nero. “I'd also like to wish VCU's Ed McLaughlin a prosperous tenure as Chair moving forward. Tragically, however, we left with a stark reminder of how fragile life can be when we learned of the passing of Dayton's Steve McElvene. As a conference committed to the student-athlete experience, our hearts go out to Steve's family, friends and the entire Dayton community as we remember a young man taken from us well before his time."