WASHINGTON — The Atlantic 10 Conference Presidents Council concluded its Fall Business Meeting affirming the league’s long-standing, deep commitment to basketball success within the current national climate. The A-10 Athletic Directors joined the Presidents for the meetings, which were held at the conference headquarters in the nation’s capital. NCAA and A-10 outside legal counsel joined the meeting providing important and detailed legal briefings to the group on relevant issues facing intercollegiate athletics and higher education.
As a basketball-centric Division I Conference, the council and directors discussed the changing future environment of NCAA Division I as it will be impacted by the court rulings on the House, Hubbard, and Carter cases. The consensus was that the Atlantic 10 Conference will continue to support and fund its flagship programs at the highest possible level as permitted by NCAA rules, with the permissive opportunities going forward directly benefiting student-athletes and their success through NIL opportunities. The council and the directors emphasized the importance of staying united as members of the A-10 during the changing times.
The Commissioner reviewed the ‘state of the conference’ noting the value proposition and benefits of membership in the A-10 and the historic impact that basketball success has had on the growth, elevation and financial solvency of the conference. Although there will be a diverse approach to institutional management, a unanimous vote approved a recommendation to provide a $1.4 million supplemental distribution from the Atlantic 10 sustainability fund. The equal distribution to eligible member institutions is designated for use to enhance basketball and/or offset the potential lost revenue from the NCAA due to the House settlement back damages payment model assessment assigned to every Division I institution.
“The presence and deep engagement of all presidents and athletic directors is a clear sign of each institution’s commitment to the Atlantic 10 and athletic excellence,” said Dr. Eric F. Spina, chair of the Presidents Council and president of the University of Dayton. “While the national landscape continues to shift, the primacy of basketball in the A-10 and the wealth of opportunities created by basketball put the conference in excellent position to build strength on strength.”
The affirmation to remain as one of the most nationally competitive basketball-centric conferences in the NCAA unified the Presidents and Directors, allowing for strategic decision making and planning for the present and future. Concerns related to the future governance model being discussed by the NCAA Council and Board of Directors were voiced. Additionally, the future sport-specific roster limits/caps (mandated by the House Settlement) were discussed, noting concern for lost opportunities for many Olympic sport student-athletes with little consideration being given for a phase-in of roster caps within the next few years. The conference strongly supports a more equitable representation model of governance as well as a multi-year phase in for resetting individual team roster limits/caps.
“The Presidents Council and Directors engaged in challenging discussions on the current changing landscape facing intercollegiate athletics at the highest level of D-I within the NCAA,” stated A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “Each of our institutions, while committed to their own aspirations for success, clearly indicated their investment in the strength and future elevation of the league. “
The Presidents Council closed out the meetings receiving a brief financial review, discussion of the future use of investment funds, and agreed to review the composition of the standing committee(s) currently serving the conference. The council recognized the service of Tanya Vogel, past chair of the Directors, who recently stepped down following 30-plus years at The George Washington University, by approving a contribution to the Tanya Vogel Endowed Scholarship Fund at GW.