202021 ANNUAL REPORT GREAT PEOPLE. GREAT PLACES. EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES.
A WORD FROM THE COMMISSIONER I’m pleased to present the Atlantic 10 Conference Annual Report for the 2020-21 season. It was without a doubt, one of the most unusual years in league history. We provide this year in review in a digital presentation format, taking full advantage of technology to benefit our environment. The COVID-19 pandemic broadly affected all of our schools, our sports and especially our student-athletes. However, the health, safety and well being of all of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans will always be our first consideration. Because of this, we took extraordinary steps to ensure that we could indeed play competitive sports in a COVID-19 environment. I’d like to take this moment to thank the A-10 Presidents Council for their commitment to ensuring we were able to conduct sports during the 2020-21 academic year. The council approved $1.4 million, $100,000 per institution, in supplementary distribution to assist our membership with unbudgeted expenses incurred due to the pandemic. We made sure to examine each facet of our regular season and championship operations to ensure that our “normal” procedures did not expose anyone to unnecessary risk, and made alterations as necessary. Schedules and championship dates were adjusted, and we worked with our local and state health officials for extensive COVID-19 testing and regulating policies regarding fan attendance. Our schools, programs and student-athletes navigated the alterations, and the A-10 had another banner year in academics and athletics. A testament to our student-athletes and institutional leadership on their constant pursuit of excellence and high standards that keeps the Atlantic 10 nationally relevant on the courts, fields and in the classroom. A record number of student-athletes were A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipients (more than 3,800!), and we had 101 programs recognized for perfect NCAA Graduation Success Rate scores with a league-wide rate of 93 percent. The Atlantic 10 was one of the top six conferences in the nation in number of teams recognized for the fifth straight year. The A-10 Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, formed last summer, and went to work with a number of initiatives, from an #A10Votes campaign to celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month. The commission sponsored seminars and presentations on the NFL’s Rooney Rule, the Black Athlete Activist and the power of the voice of student-athletes and coaches. Please join me in recognizing the good work this group does to effect change in our conference and our society. Amid the successes this year, the league also suffered tragic losses. St. Bonaventure President Dr. Dennis DePerro lost his battle with COVID-19, and we also mourned the passing of Saint Louis Vice President Dr. Jonathan Smith, longtime Fordham golf coach Paul Dillon, Fordham assistant women’s basketball coach Sonia Burke, George Washington assistant volleyball coach Brianna Berry, Saint Louis assistant men’s basketball coach Ford Stuen and George Mason baseball student-athlete Sang Ho Baek. I ask that you keep their families in your thoughts. Please take a moment to look through this annual report and join us in recognizing the Atlantic 10 successes in 2020-21 as well as how the league came together to face one of the toughest challenges college athletics, and our society, has ever faced. Thank you for your support of the Atlantic 10. Optimism abounds that 2021-22 will be more normal and we will see all of you again soon. Sincerely,
ABOUT THE ATLANTIC 10
“Since 1975, the Atlantic 10 has proven that excellence in academics and athletics is an achievable goal, a philosophy that has driven the A-10 to nearly five decades of success. From the Duquesne team that won the first league title to the historic run by Dayton, and all of the academic records and milestones that have been set, there is a rich history to be recognized. I salute each and every team, student-athlete, coach, administrator and our great alumni and fans who have made the Atlantic 10 among the best in the country.” Bernadette V. McGlade , Atlantic 10 Commissioner
MISSION STATEMENT The Atlantic 10 Conference is committed to providing quality competition among its member institutions, while furthering academic integrity and promoting positive behavior among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans.
HISTORY & 45TH ANNIVERSARY The Atlantic 10 was founded in 1975 and consists of 14 diverse members across eight states and Washington, D.C. The Atlantic 10 provides an enhanced student-athlete experience through 21 nationally competitive championship sports. The basketball-centric conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for its student-athletes, coaches and support staff.
The Conference shall work with all its member institutions to provide services that will enhance institutional resources and offer a quality experience to all student-athletes, while upholding the standards established by the Conference and the NCAA.
The A-10 proudly celebrated its 45th Anniversary during the 2020-21 year. The league utilized a commemorative logo set across the 14 member institutions during the 2020-21 year, and the celebration included integration of anniversary elements into championships, apparel, digital and social media.
Great People. Great Places. Extraordinary Opportunities.
The membership consists of Davidson College, the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode Island, the University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information, visit www.atlantic10.com.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS “Another record-setting number of student-athletes achieved the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, which is even more impressive due to an atypical learning environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I commend and congratulate our student-athletes for their hard work and our member institutions for their commitment to the academic success of all students.” Bernadette V. McGlade , Atlantic 10 Commissioner
NCAA GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE
COMMISSIONER’S HONOR ROLL
Atlantic 10 student-athletes and institutions set a record in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR), with 101 programs that recorded a perfect GSR, based on data released by the NCAA in November. The league also had 164 teams that graduated in 90th percentile or higher, and the A-10 earned a near-record 93 percent leaguewide average. Every A-10 sport had multiple teams that counted towards that 101 total. Additionally, every A-10 member institution had at least three programs that had a 100 percent GSR. The A-10 ranked sixth nationally among the 32 conferences in number of teams to earn perfect scores, joining the ACC, the Ivy League, the Big 10, the Patriot League and the MAAC. Every Atlantic 10 sport was at or above that sport’s national average.
The Atlantic 10 set a record with 3,836 student-athletes receiving Commissioner’s Honor Roll distinction in the 2020-21 academic year. There were an impressive 359 student-athletes that achieved a 4.0 GPA in 2020-21, representing nearl 10 percent of the total number of honorees and is three percent higher than 2019-20. There were also 2,664 student-athletes (nearly 70 percent of all Commissioner’s Honor Roll selections) with a 3.5 GPA or better. Additionally, the average number of honorees per school was 274, also a conference record. Designed to recognize excellence in the classroom, a student-athlete in an Atlantic 10-sponsored sport must have a 3.0 GPA for the academic year to be selected for the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Freshmen and graduate students are eligible to receive the award.
TOP 6 CONFERENCES IN NUMBER OF PROGRAMS WITH PERFECT GSR SCORES
COVID-19 IMPACT The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on college sports throughout the 2020-21 season. The health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans was of paramount importance and directly impacted each decision the league made. One of the biggest steps the league membership took was an approval by the A-10 Presidents Council of a $1.4 million supplemental distribution, issuing each member institution $100,000 for expenses incurred by COVID-19 protocols. The additional distribution was used to offset cost for testing, travel procedures, and unbudgeted expenses associated with numerous safety and health protocols implemented to protect the student-athletes, staff and campus community. The Atlantic 10 took several steps to safely conduct its sports and championships during the 2020-21 season: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Extensive testing during the regular season and on-site at select Atlantic 10 Championships Travel protocols were instituted for each championship and sport regular season Mandatory masking of officials and coaches as appropriate Limiting operational personnel to essential staffers only at all home events and championships Extensive modifications to game operations, including limited interactions with scorers table personnel, limited media access and virtual press conferences Moving all fall sports seasons and championships to the spring of 2021 Adjusting winter and spring sport championship dates and cancelation of the Indoor Track & Field Championships Instituting regional scheduling and divisions in Olympic sports to minimize travel Altering Olympic Sport championships to a “Top Four” format to limit travel and exposure Separate locations for the Swimming Championship and Diving Championship In conjunction with the NCAA, delaying the start of the women’s and men’s basketball regular seasons until early December Altering the men’s and women’s basketball championship dates and moving the men’s championship back to campus locations (Dayton, Richmond and VCU) Adopting a unique split, two-site format for the men’s championship that also moved the championship game a week after the completion of the semifinals Restricting fan access to the championships as required by local and state mandates
MEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S BASKETBALL SNAPSHOT Regular Season Champion: St. Bonaventure A-10 Player of the Year: Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, VCU A-10 Coach of the Year: Mark Schmidt, SBU A-10 Defensive Player of the Year: Osun Osunniyi, SBU Rookie of the Year: Tyler Kolek, MASON Chris Daniels Most Improved Player: Tyler Burton, UR Sixth Man of the Year: Sherif Kenney, LAS Championship Most Outstanding: Osun Osunniyi, SBU
St. Bonaventure and VCU were the stars in what was another strong year for the Atlantic 10 in men’s basketball. Propelled by standouts Osun Osunniyi (pictured at left) and Kyle Lofton, the Bonnies won the A-10 regular season, captured their second A-10 Championship title and earned the league’s NCAA automatic bid. VCU battled the Brown and White, including a pair of regular season games for the history books. Led by sophomore star and A-10 Player of the Year Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland (pictured at right), the Rams also earned an NCAA Tournament bid, qualifying as an at-large team, the 15th consecutive time the Atlantic 10 has sent multiple teams to the Big Dance. Joining St. Bonaventure and VCU in the postseason were Davidson, Dayton, Richmond and Saint Louis, all of whom earned NIT bids. Saint Louis and Richmond were ranked during the season while St. Bonaventure and VCU received votes in both major polls. In a unique approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to the postseason, the Atlantic 10 adjusted the dates of the 2021 Men’s Basketball Championship, moving the majority of the men’s championship a week earlier and spread those 12 games across two campus sites, Richmond and VCU. The men’s championship final was played at Dayton on Selection Sunday. Following the season, Hyland was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with the 26th pick in the first round of the NBA Draft.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Dayton won the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball regular season for the second straight year, but the big story was the resurgence of key Atlantic 10 programs. To combat COVID-19 issues, the league instituted an 18-game schedule with weekend travel partners. That helped highlight the traditional powers and a handful of resurgent teams. The Flyers, Fordham, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Richmond, Saint Louis and VCU all were fighting for high seeds and a chance to advance in the 14-team championship, which was moved a week later than normal. This led to a thrilling A-10 Championship with four of those seven teams advancing to the semifinals. VCU won its first-ever Atlantic 10 women’s basketball crown with an 81-69 victory over No. 7 UMass. Taya Robinson (pictured at left) was named the Most Outstanding Player. The Minutewomen appeared in their first A-10 title game in 23 years. Five A-10 women’s basketball teams qualified for postseason play. VCU earned the league’s NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Dayton, Fordham, UMass and Saint Louis all earned invites to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). Saint Louis reached the WNIT quarterfinals while UMass played in the consolation final.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SNAPSHOT Regular Season Champion: Dayton A-10 Co-Players of the Year: Anna DeWolfe, FOR / Emmanuelle Tahane, URI A-10 Coach of the Year: Tammi Reiss, URI A-10 Defensive Player of the Year: Araion Bradshaw, UD Rookie of the Year: Addie Budnik, UR Most Improved Player: Jenna Giacone, UD Sixth Woman of the Year: Tenin Magassa, UD Championship Most Outstanding: Taya Robinson, VCU
FALL SPORTS
MEN’S SOCCER
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Champion: Duquesne Individual Champion: Lotte Black, URI Most Outstanding Rookie: Elizabeth Stockman, UR A-10 Coach of the Year: Jim Lear, DUQ
Regular Season Champion: Dayton Championship Winner: Fordham NCAA Participants: Fordham, UMass Offensive Player of the Year: Jonas Fjeldberg, UD Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Schulte, SLU Midfielder of the Year: Kingsford Adjei, UD Rookie of the Year: Alec Hughes, UM Coach of the Year: Dennis Currier, UD Championship Most Outstanding: Matt Sloan, FOR
WOMEN’S SOCCER Regular Season Champion: Saint Louis Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: Saint Louis Offensive Player of the Year: Hannah Friedrich, SLU Defensive Player of the Year: Emily Puricelli, SLU Midfielder of the Year: Abbie Miller, SLU Rookie of the Year: Itala Gemelli, UD Coach of the Year: Adam Denton, DAV Championship Most Outstanding: Hannah Friedrich, SLU
VOLLEYBALL Regular Season Champion: Dayton Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: Dayton Player of the Year: Jamie Peterson, UD Libero of the Year: Isa Lopez, LAS Setter of the Year: Bridget Doherty, UD Rookie of the Year: Whitley Moody, FOR A-10 Coach of the Year: Tim Horsmon, UD Championship Most Outstanding: Jamie Peterson, UD
FIELD HOCKEY MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Champion: Richmond Individual Champion: Luke Jaciw-Zaruakowsky, LAS Most Outstanding Rookie: Stuart Terrill, UR Coach of the Year: Steve Taylor, UR
Regular Season Champion: VCU Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: VCU Offensive Player of the Year: Georgie McTear, UM Defensive Player of the Year: Janne Wetzel, VCU Rookie of the Year: Bridget McCormick, VCU Coach of the Year: Stacey Bean, VCU Championship Most Outstanding: Sasha Elliott, VCU
WINTER & SPRING SPORTS
MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
Champion: George Washington Most Outstanding Swimmer: Karol Mlynarczyk, GW Most Outstanding Diver: Michael Bruno, SBU Most Outstanding Rookie: Karol Mlynarczyk, GW A-10 Swimming Coach of the Year: Brian Thomas, GW A-10 Diving Coach of the Year: Stephanie Fleming, SBU
Champion: Richmond Most Outstanding Swimmer: Shelby Stanley, DAV Most Outstanding Diver: Marina Toone, MASON Most Outstanding Rookie: Alexa Connors, UR A-10 Swimming Coach of the Year: Matt Barany, UR A-10 Diving Coach of the Year: Zach Hawley, MASON
MEN’S GOLF WOMEN’S TENNIS Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: VCU Most Outstanding Performer: Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado, VCU Most Outstanding Rookie Performer: Stella Wiesemann, GW Coach of the Year: Vivian Segnini, VCU
Champion: Davidson NCAA Participants: Davidson, Henry May, UD (Individual) Golfer of the Year: Lou Baker, UR Rookie of the Year: Kyle Schmidt, UD Championship Medalist / Most Outstanding Rookie: Henry May, UD Coach of the Year: Tim Straub, DAV
MEN’S TENNIS Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: VCU Most Outstanding Performer: Lleyton Cronje, VCU Most Outstanding Rookie Performer: Connor Bruce, UD Coach of the Year: Anthony Rossi, VCU
SPRING SPORTS
LACROSSE MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD Champion: Rhode Island Most Outstanding Track Performer: Issac Elliott, DUQ Most Outstanding Field Performer: Jaylen Simmons, MASON Most Outstanding Rookie: Micah Harris, MASON Coach of the Year: John Copeland, URI
Regular Season Champion: Massachusetts/Richmond Championship Winner/ NCAA Participant: Massachusetts Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Haley Connaughton, UM / Stephanie Kelly, SJU Defensive Player of the Year: Brittney Wright, UR Midfielder of the Year: Stephanie Croke, UM Rookie of the Year: Julianne Carey, DAV Coach of the Year: Kim Wayne, DAV Championship Most Outstanding: Kaitlyn Cerasi, UM
SOFTBALL Regular Season Champion: George Washington Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: George Washington Player of the Year: Jenna Cone, GW Pitcher of the Year: Sierra Lange, GW Rookie of the Year: Devon Miller, FOR Coach of the Year: Shane Winkler, GW Championship Most Outstanding: Sierra Lange, GW
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD Champion: VCU Co-Most Outstanding Track Performers: Kristina MacLure, URI / Lotte Black, URI Most Outstanding Field Performer: Makayla McGowan, VCU Most Outstanding Rookie: Lauryn Taylor, VCU Coach of the Year: Jon Riley, VCU
BASEBALL ROWING Champion: Rhode Island NCAA Participant: Rhode island Coach of the Year: Shelagh Donohoe, URI
Regular Season Champion: VCU Championship Winner/NCAA Participant: VCU Player of the Year: Tyler Locklear, VCU Pitcher of the Year: Matt Mikulski, FOR Rookie of the Year: Tyler Locklear, VCU Coach of the Year: David Miller, LAS Championship Most Outstanding: Hunter Vay, VCU
SUMMER OLYMPICS
Fifteen current and former Atlantic 10 student-athletes and coaches participated in the 2020 Summer Olympics and the Paralympics in Tokyo in the summer of 2021. Fordham was represented by two former student-athletes, Fiona Murtagh and Nick Martinez, both of whom medaled. Murtagh won bronze for Ireland in rowing, specifically in the coxless 4 race. Nick Martinez, a former Rams baseball standout helped Team USA win a silver medal. Fordham incoming student-athlete Alex Gadegaard Shah swam the 100 freestyle for team Nepal. George Washington had a pair of former student-athletes, both men’s basketball players. Patricio Garino and Yuta Watanabe, who both helped the Colonials win an NIT title, played for their respective countries. Garino competed for his home country of Argentina, while Watanabe played for Japan. Massachusetts had the most representatives with three, including one of the most decorated student-athletes in UMass and A-10 history, Heather MacLean. An NCAA track and field championship participant and NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 Finalist, MacLean ran for Team USA in the 1,500 meter run, reaching the semifinals. Current UMass field hockey student-athlete Marlise van Tonder played field hockey for South Africa and Sarah Hawkshaw also competed in field hockey, representing Ireland. Rhode Island women’s rowing alumnae Allie Reilly and Karen Petrik and URI rowing coach Shelagh Donohoe won silver for the United States in the Paralympics for Team USA in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four rowing event. Richmond had two from Spider baseball in Tokyo, former student-athlete Jonathan de Marte will played for Team Israel while current Assistant Coach Nate Mulberg served Team Israel as an assistant coach. A team captain and four-year starter for Rhode Island, Tayra Melendez represented Puerto Rico throughout her collegiate career, and was on the Women’s Basketball team at the Toyko Olympics. Former VCU golfer Rafael Campos played golf for Puerto Rico, which competes in the Olympics as a separate team from Team USA.
NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
ARAION BRADSHAW
JORDAN OLENGINSKI
A pair of outstanding student-athletes were chosen as the Atlantic 10 Conference nominees for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Dayton’s Araion Bradshaw and Saint Joseph’s Jordan Olenginski were named the league candidates for one of the NCAA’s most notable honors. Bradshaw, a women’s basketball student-athlete and Olenginski, a field hockey student-athlete, both were seniors during the 2020-21 season. Both were chosen as the conference honorees by the Atlantic 10’s Senior Woman Administrators (SWAs) based on their community involvement and leadership abilities, athletic achievements, and academic prowess. They were selected from a league-record pool of 16 extraordinary institutional honorees, representing seven different sports and all 14 A-10 member institutions.
Sarah Helen Shepherd Davidson Swimming & Diving
Bridget Doherty Dayton Volleyball
Emma Brinton Duquesne Swimming & Diving
Brianna Pinto Fordham Softball
Ashley Lewis George Mason Track & Field
Jenna Cone George Washington Softball
Grace Mancini La Salle Cross Country / Track & Field
Olivia Muscella Massachusetts Lacrosse
Lotte Black Rhode Island Cross Country / Track & Field
“Araion and Jordan represent the best of the Atlantic 10. They are very active in their communities and in the college athletics space, working to make the world a better place, while maintaining excellent academic credentials. They were also key players in leading their teams to multiple A-10 Championships.” Bernadette V. McGlade , Atlantic 10 Commissioner
Brooke Fazio Richmond Cross Country / Track & Field
Brittney Wright Richmond Lacrosse
Destinee Johnson St. Bonaventure Lacrosse
Sadie Wise Saint Louis Softball
Emily van Hijfte VCU Field Hockey
COMMISSION ON RACIAL EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ABOUT THE COMMISSION
The Atlantic 10 and its member institutions have taken steps to address racial and social injustices in our society. The A-10 formed the Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion that took the lead on the league’s efforts to be a part of the solution, through action, activism and education. The Commission is Co-Chaired by Duquesne President, Ken Gormley, J.D., and La Salle Athletic Director, Brian Baptiste, and each institution has multiple representatives on the Commission.
MAJOR COMMISSION INITIATIVES • #A10Votes Campaign • Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day through social media and support of campus programming • Initiation of an annual MLK Day men’s basketball game, featuring Saint Joseph’s at La Salle that was nationally televised on CBS Sports Network • Celebration of Black History Month through social media and support of campus programming • Co-Sponsoring (with Duquesne) a webinar on the NFL’s Rooney Rule, geared toward college athletics • Discussion on Celebrating the Black Athlete Activist, led by Stephanie A. Tryce, J.D. • Discussion on the Power of the Voice of Student-Athletes and Coaches, led by NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson • Support of social justice actions by Atlantic 10 institutions, athletic departments, coaches, administrators and student-athletes
TELEVISION, DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA MEN’S BASKETBALL TELEVISION COVERAGE The Atlantic 10 Conference, through its extensive set of media partnerships, featured nearly 200 games carried live via linear and digital platforms during the 2020-21 season.
126
72
28
80
Every conference game on television and digital outlets
games on national TV as part of the A-10 package
non-conference televised road and neutral site games
games carried digitally on ESPN+
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TELEVISION COVERAGE ■ ■
■ ■
16 Nationally Televised Broadcasts Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship game televised on an ESPN network for the 24th consecutive year CBS Sports Network televised the semifinals for the 13th straight year All non-televised home games were streamed through the A-10 league-wide partnership with ESPN+
OLYMPIC SPORT COVERAGE
ATLANTIC 10 SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH YEARLY MILESTONES PER PLATFORM 2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
25,771
28,858 (+12%)
31,082 (+8%)
33,787 (+9%)
34,783 (+3%)
The Atlantic 10 provided digital coverage of selected championships and events through its partnership with ESPN+ ■ ■ ■ ■
42,498
TOTAL
42,363
41,711
42,512 (+2%)
42,402
3,734
4,272
5,438 (+27%)
8,055 (+48%)
9,308 (+16%)
72,003
75,493 (+5%)
78,231 (+4%)
84,354 (+8%)
86,493 (+3%)
Social media content included: Video highlights | Real-time game updates | Television info | Conference news & notes | Features, mascots, professional athletes
■ ■ ■
Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Field Hockey Volleyball Swimming & Diving Women’s Basketball (non-televised games) Men’s Basketball (First Round)
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Men’s Tennis Women’s Tennis Lacrosse Outdoor Track & Field Rowing Softball Baseball
In addition to the ESPN+ coverage, the conference streamed men’s and women’s tennis preliminary rounds for the fifth time in league history through the Playsight cameras at the USTA National Campus, which allowed fans to choose which court to watch.
STUDENT-ATHLETES, SAAC AND OUTREACH Student-athletes have a voice in the NCAA through Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) at the campus, conference, and national level. The Atlantic 10 SAAC is made up of student-athlete representatives from each A-10 institution that provide insight on the student-athlete experience and offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on campus.
2020-21 SAAC REPRESENTATIVES Davidson
Kelly Fitzgerald Women’s Basketball Political Science
Ali Menard Women’s Soccer Undecided
Dayton
Alyssa Cacini Softball Communications
Amari Davidson Women’s Basketball International Business
Duquesne
Dominic Nascimben Men’s Soccer International Relations
Amaya Hamilton Women’s Basketball Physician’s Assistant Studies
Brianna Pinto Softball Information Systems
Cameron Cohn Men’s Basketball Business Administration
George Mason
Amber Verstynen Softball Atmospheric Science
Ryan Charles Men’s Tennis Mechanical Engineering
George Washington
Abby Carlin Women’s Lacrosse Systems Engineering
Ryan Cedeno Men’s Soccer Systems Engineering
La Salle*
Deirdre Gilmore Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Pre-Communications and Disorders
Cassie Kincaid Field Hockey Public Health
Massachusetts
Carl Pierre Men’s Basketball Communications
Dani Sclafani Women’s Soccer Operations & Information Management / Sport Management
Fordham
Rhode Island
Zoe Sheridan Women’s Swimming & Diving Finance
Halah Davis Women’s Tennis Human Development & Family Studies
Richmond
Antonio Balducci Baseball Physics & Biology
Olivia Frazier Field Hockey Mathematical Economics
St. Bonaventure
Caroline Paterno Women’s Lacrosse Psychology
Cody Shimp Baseball Adolescence Education
Saint Joseph’s
Phil Dwyer Men’s Track Business Intelligence & Analytics
JT Spina Men’s Golf Finance
Saint Louis
Jack Bessey Men’s Soccer Biomedical Engineering
Preston Waldusky Men’s Swimming & Diving Economics/Analytics & Enterprise Systems
VCU
Emily van Hifjte Field Hockey Criminal Justice & Sociology
Danielle David Volleyball Interdisciplinary Studies
*Erik Janss, a former La Salle baseball student-athlete, served his second year as the Atlantic 10’s Division I SAAC representative. Janss is now pursuing his law degree at Drake University.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION The Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) took part in the annual NCAA Diversity and Inclusion Social Media Campaign with three days of interaction and involvement. The themes of the three days were My Story Matters, I’ve Got Your Back, and Together We Rise. A-10 SAAC members produced videos that celebrated diversity and inclusion and fostered a collective effort to support each other and all student-athletes.
MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN The A-10 SAAC launched a week-long Mental Health Social Media Campaign in March of 2021 with the purpose of increasing mental health awareness. The A-10 SAAC used their social media platforms to encourage people to speak openly about mental health in the hope of removing stigmas and inspiring others to share their stories. The campaign featured themes from throughout the week and tied these to the Stronger Together Discussion Series the A-10 created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Themes for the week included Feelings Matter, Mental Health Struggles, Coping with the Pandemic and Self Care. The week began with messages of positivity from student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
NCAA LEADERSHIP NCAA APPOINTMENTS
The following is a list of A-10 institutional personnel who served on NCAA committees and forums during the 2020-21 season. DIVISION I GOVERNANCE Presidential Forum Initial Eligibility Waivers Committee Nominating Committee Student-Athlete Reinstatement, Chair Interpretations Committee Committee on Infractions Division I SAAC
Dr. Eric Spina Dayton President Dr. Amy Phelps Duquesne FAR Ed McLaughlin VCU AD Rick Christensen Duquesne Associate AD Kristina Giddings George Mason Deputy AD Jill Redmond A-10 Senior Associate Commissioner Erik Janss La Salle Student-Athlete
COUNCIL AND COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES Division I Council (Student-Athlete Experience) Chris May Saint Louis AD Legislative Committee Rick Christensen Duquesne Associate AD Division I Strategic Vision and Planning LaRee Sugg Richmond Deputy AD/SWA/Chief of DEI Division I WBB Oversight Advancement Djenane Paul Fordham Senior Associate AD/SWA ASSOCIATION WIDE & COMMON COMMITTEES Committee on Women’s Athletics Renie Shields Saint Joseph’s Senior Associate AD/SWA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee Mr. Ken Gormley Duquesne President Research Committee Dr. Rebecca Spencer Massachusetts FAR Student Records Review Committee Ken Krimmel Saint Joseph’s Assistant AD/Compliance
PRESIDENTIAL INVOLVEMENT
Dayton President Dr. Eric Spina serves on the Presidential Forum. Additionally, Duquesne President Kenneth Gormley completed a four-year term in 2020-21 on the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee. The 14 presidents and chancellors that make up the Atlantic 10 Presidents’ Council are well-versed on national issues that affect the NCAA and Atlantic 10.
Dr. Eric Spina Dayton President
DIVISION I COUNCIL
Kenneth Gormley, J.D. Duquesne President
Saint Louis Athletic Director Chris May is a member of the NCAA Division I Council, serving as the Atlantic 10’s representative.
FARA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Saint Joseph’s Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR), Dr. Stephen J. Porth is a member of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Athletic Representatives Association (FARA). He serves as the Division I Subdivision representative to the Executive Committee.
DIVISION I SPORT COMMITTEES Division I Men’s Basketball Division I Women’s Basketball, Vice-Chair Division I Field Hockey Division I Women’s Lacrosse Division I Women’s Rowing Division I Men’s Soccer Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Division I Women’s Volleyball
Bernadette V. McGlade A-10 Commissioner Debbie Richardson A-10 Senior Associate Commissioner Lynn Farquhar Saint Joseph’s Head Coach Mike Scerbo Duquesne Associate AD Shelagh Donohoe Rhode Island Head Coach Tanya Vogel George Washington AD Dr. Sofia Hiort-Wright VCU Sr. Executive Assoc. AD/SWA Sherene Brantley Duquesne Associate AD/SWA
SPORT PLAYING RULES COMMITTEES Baseball Rules Men’s Basketball Rules Women’s Lacrosse Rules Swimming and Diving Rules
Fritz Hamburg Chris Clunie Kimberly Wayne Matt Barany
Saint Joseph’s Head Coach Davidson AD Davidson Head Coach Richmond Head Coach
2020-21 ADMINISTRATION 2020-21 INSTITUTIONAL ADMINISTRATION DAVIDSON COLLEGE DAVIDSON COLLEGE
THE UNIVERSITY THEGEORGE GEORGE WASHINGTON WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY RICHMOND UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
DR.CAROL CAROLQUILLEN QUILLEN DR.
DR.DONNA DONNAMOLINEK MOLINEK DR.
CHRIS CLUNIE
MCNAY KATY McNAY
DR.THOMAS THOMASLeBLANC LeBLANC DR.
DR.BEVERLY BEVERLYWESTERMAN WESTERMAN DR.
TANYAVOGEL VOGEL TANYA
DAYNAELLMAN ELLMAN DAYNA
DR.RONALD RONALDA.A.CRUTCHER CRUTCHER DR.
RICHARD COUGHLAN DR. RICHARD COUGHLAN
JOHNHARDT HARDT JOHN
LAREESUGG SUGG LaREE
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
UNIVERISTY UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON DAYTON
LA UNIVERSITY LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
ST. UNIVERSITY ST.BONAVENTURE BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY
DR.ERIC ERIC F.F.SPINA SPINA DR.
DR.KIMBERLY KIMBERLYTRICK TRICK DR.
SULLIVAN NEIL SULLIVAN
ANGIE PETROVIC PETROVIC ANGIE
DR.COLLEEN COLLEENM.MHANYCZ HANYCZ DR. DR.ELIZABETH ELIZABETHPAULIN PAULIN DR.
BRIAN BAPTISTE BAPTISTE BRIAN
DONEASESMITH SMITH DONEASE
DR.JOSEPH JOSEPHE.E.ZIMMER ZIMMER DR.
DR.CLAIRE CLAIREWATSON WATSON DR.
TIM KENNEY KENNEY
BARBARAH.H.QUESTA QUESTA BARBARA
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
Interim President Interim President
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Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
UNIVERSITY MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
SAINT UNIVERSITY SAINT JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY
KENNETHG.G.GORMLEY, GORMLEY,J.D.J.D. KENNETH
DR.AMY AMYPHELPS PHELPS DR.
DAVEHARPER HARPER DAVE
SHERENEBRANTLEY BRANTLEY SHERENE
DR.KUMBLE KUMBLESUBBASWAMY SUBBASWAMY DR. DR.REBECCA REBECCASPENCER SPENCER DR.
RYANBAMFORD BAMFORD RYAN
BRITTON KIRSTEN BRITTON
DR.MARK MARKC.C.REED REED DR.
DR.STEPHEN STEPHENJ.J.PORTH PORTH DR.
BODENSTEINER JILL BODENSTEINER
SHIELDS RENIE SHIELDS
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
Chancellor Chancellor
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
FORDHAM UNIVERSITY FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
UNIVERSITY ISLAND UNIVERSITYOF OF RHODE RHODE ISLAND
SAINT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
REV.JOSEPH JOSEPHM.M.McSHANE, McSHANE,S.J.S.J. REV.
DR.PATRICIO PATRICIO MENESES MENESES DR.
KULL ED KULL
DJENANEPAUL PAUL DJENANE
DR.DAVID DAVIDDOOLEY DOOLEY DR.
DR.EMILY EMILYCLAPHAM CLAPHAM DR.
THORRBJORN BJORN THORR
SPERRY GINA SPERRY
DR.FRED FREDP.P.PESTELLO PESTELLO DR.
DR.MICHAEL MICHAELROSS ROSS DR.
CHRIS MAY
DR.JANET JANETOBERLE OBERLE DR.
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
GEORGE UNIVERSITY GEORGE MASON MASON UNIVERSITY
VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY VIRGINIACOMMONWEALTH COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
DR.GREGORY GREGORYWASHINGTON WASHINGTON DR. DR.DOMINIQUE DOMINIQUEBANVILLE BANVILLE BRAD BRADEDWARDS EDWARDS DR.
DR.DEBI DEBICORBATTO CORBATTO DR.
DR.MICHAEL MICHAELRAO RAO DR.
DR.D’ARCY D’ARCYMAYS MAYS DR.
McLAUGHLIN ED McLAUGHLIN
DR.SOFIA SOFIAHIORT-WRIGHT HIORT-WRIGHT DR.
President President
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
President President
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
Administrator Senior Woman Administrator
Faculty Athletic Faculty AthleticRep. Rep.
Athletic Director Athletic Director
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