WASHINGTON – The Atlantic 10 Conference has renamed its Postgraduate Scholarship Program to the Bernadette V. McGlade Postgraduate Scholarship Program in honor of the former commissioner’s indelible impact across her 18-year tenure.
McGlade retired from the commissioner’s seat at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year, marking the end of a distinguished 45-year career. McGlade’s career journey included just three stops, starting as the head women’s basketball coach at Georgia Tech before rising as an administrator. She spent 11 years at the Atlantic Coast Conference prior to being hired as the Atlantic 10 Commissioner in 2008.
Established in 1991 before expanding several times, the postgraduate scholarship program honors outstanding student-athletes who excel in academics and athletics with scholarships to pursue their studies following completion of their undergraduate degrees. During the last five years, the conference has awarded over $300,000 to 73 student-athletes. Each recipient receives a contribution toward full-time enrollment in a graduate or professional program.
“Bernadette’s contributions to the Atlantic 10 have had a lasting impact on its student-athletes,” said A-10 Commissioner Dan Leibovitz. “We are grateful for her many years of service to the conference. It is especially meaningful that this scholarship will carry her name forward and continue supporting student-athletes for years to come.”
The scholarship recipients have attended colleges and universities throughout the United States, as well as internationally. Award winners have included a Fulbright Scholarship recipient, eight institutional and two conference NCAA Woman of the Year nominees, SAAC representatives, Academic All-Americans, A-10 record-holders, championship Most Outstanding Performers and A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll recipients. These student-athletes have pursued post-graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines including medicine and health, pharmacy, law and political science, engineering, the sciences, sports management, business administration and more.
“This honor and recognition is beyond my wildest expectations and I can only express my heartfelt appreciation to the A-10 leadership, Presidents, Directors, Faculty Representatives & SWA’s,” said McGlade. “We all focus on supporting & nurturing our student-athletes towards success within higher education. To be honored with the naming of the A-10 postgraduate scholarship program awarded to a deserving student athlete from all member institutions is with gratitude & beyond words. Thank you.”
McGlade’s leadership led to the introduction of the A-10 as a “basketball centric” conference, rich in academic tradition and reputation. Successfully navigating the turbulence of conference realignment, she welcomed VCU, George Mason, Davidson and Loyola Chicago to the A-10. McGlade also negotiated multiple media rights packages with ESPN, CBS Sports and NBC Sports that enhanced the exposure, men’s and women’s sports coverage, and revenue generation and brand valuation for the conference membership. She also spearheaded efforts to move the Atlantic 10 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships to outstanding arenas and media markets of Brooklyn, N.Y., Washington, Pittsburgh, and Richmond, Va.