US Airways - March 2013 - (Page 193)

I t was an occasion to remember last October: Atlantic 10 Conference media day, the first college basketball–related event at Barclays Center in New York City. photos (CloCkwise from top left) Courtesy of: GeorGe washinGton athletiCs; saint Joseph’s athletiCs; riChmond athletiCs; dayton athletiCs/erik sChelkun; Butler athletiCs Journalists — along with TV personalities from every major network — swarmed the secondfloor concourse of the new Brooklyn arena, waiting to interview coaches from each school. It was a perfectly scripted opening tip to the 2012–13 basketball season for the best basketball-centric league in the nation. Fitting fanfare for what began as an eightschool, men’s-basketball-only affiliation in 1976– 77, but which has grown into a 16-university, 21-sport league that’s home to 5,200 studentathletes and has earned its place among the nation’s elite: the A-10. The brand is stronger than ever with the member institutions and their commitment to excellence: Butler University, University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Xavier University. “Our success athletically is a source of pride, but it’s our academic prowess that we hold in the highest regard,” says Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “Nationally, the league ranks second among all Division I conferences with a graduation success rate (GSR) of 90 percent.” That’s a full 10 points higher than the national average. “We’re proud of our success in the classroom,” adds McGlade. She says the statistics are “indicative of the commitment our studentathletes have to their academic success and the importance our member institutions place on academics and graduation. Academics are the foundation of this league and contribute to our success in athletics.” A-10 schools have enjoyed scholastic and athletic success across the board. In the 2011–12 academic year alone, the league sent a record 15 basketball teams (eight men’s, seven women’s) to the postseason in the NCAA Championship, the NIT, and the WNIT. The Xavier men’s team and the St. Bonaventure women’s team both advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, and the UMass men played in the NIT semifinals in New York City. In other sports, the Charlotte men’s soccer team made a strong run, advancing to the national championship game. Richmond’s field hockey team made the NCAA tournament after beating No. 11 California. Dayton’s baseball team won its first A-10 championship and appeared in the NCAA Regionals, while Rhode Island’s women’s crew team won its third A-10 rowing championship and later participated in the Henley Regatta in London. The conference’s reach is extraordinary — 82 million people across nine states and Washington, DC. The quality of the coaches and student-athletes is second-to-none. But the most impressive aspect of the A-10’s growth is that it has not once lost sight of its identity. “We have stayed true,” says Richmond men’s basketball coach Chris Mooney. “That’s been one of the great things about the Atlantic 10. Clockwise from far left: President Obama at a George Washington game; Saint Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli; Richmond vs. VCU; Dayton’s Flyer Pep Band; Butler coach Brad Stevens usairwaysmag.com MarCh 2013 193 http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - March 2013

US Airways - March 2013
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Musical Pilgrimages
Hub Crawl: Denver Airport
Wine & Dine: Chef's Tables
Wine & Dine: Artisan Cheeses
Great Escapes: Cypress Inn
Adventure: Washington, DC by Bike
Great Escapes: The Gathering in Ireland
Adventure: Puerto Rico Golf
Charlotte EDC
Great Escapes: Barcelo Hotels and Resorts
Gear Up: The Smart Kitchen
Travel Feature: The Rome Less Traveled
US Airways Feature: Order Up!
Great Tastes: Phoenix Dining
From Philly, With Love
Route of Discovery: San Luis Obispo, California
Atlantic 10 Conference
Great Dates
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - March 2013