US Airways - March 2013 - (Page 194)

Atlantic 10 Conference rememBerinG riCk maJerus our success athletically is a source of pride for the Atlantic 10, but it is our academic prowess that we hold in the highest regard. —Commissioner Bernadette V. mcGlade Clockwise from above: Cody Ellis of Saint Louis; Andrew Nicholson receives his degree from St. Bonaventure President Sister Margaret Carney; Temple vs. UMass; Ramon Galloway and Jerrell Wright of La Salle; Xavier coach Chris Mack; VCU coach Shaka Smart 194 MarCh 2013 While we have grown and membership has changed, we’ve always been a basketballcentric league.” Shortly after the idea of the Atlantic 10 Conference was conceived on March 2, 1975, a fiery young coach at Temple named John Chaney became a catalyst for league-wide growth. Beginning in 1982, he built his Owls program upon four pillars: integrity, strength of schedule, a great win-loss record, and finishing strong. During the ’80s, Chaney’s teams would qualify five times for the NCAA tournament, achieve the league’s first No. 1 national ranking behind national freshman of the year Mark Macon in 1987–88, and, most importantly, spur all A-10 schools to improve. The message was heard — loud and clear. The University of Massachusetts, under then head coach John Calipari, used a similar formula to build a national power, leading the Minutemen to five straight A-10 titles and five usairwaysmag.com NCAA tournaments in eight years from the late 1980s to the mid ’90s. Mooney says the league was the first to approach scheduling from a “play anyone, anywhere, any time perspective. Chaney, then Calipari, lived that philosophy with their programs.” While Temple, UMass, and other A-10 programs took care of business on the court, league officials, school presidents, and athletic directors were learning an important lesson behind the scenes as the conference gained prestige. “In the early days, we spent a lot of time fighting windmills by comparing ourselves to other leagues,” says Saint Joseph’s coach and 28-year A-10 veteran Phil Martelli. “Over the years, as teams in our league like Temple, UMass, George Washington [four NCAA appearances under Mike Jarvis], Saint Joseph’s [No. 1 national ranking in 2004], and Xavier [four Sweet 16 appearances in five years] had photos (CloCkwise from top left) Getty imaGes; Courtesy of st. BonaVenture athletiCs; sideline photos/GreG CarroCCio; sideline photos/GreG CarroCCio; XaVier athletiCs; VCu athletiCs; saint louis athletiCs College basketball lost an influential figure last december with the death of former saint louis coach rick majerus (above) at age 64. majerus coached six academic all-americans in his career and, in five seasons with the Billikens, eight of his players earned academic all-Conference honors — the most of any a-10 school during that period. 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