US Airways - March 2013 - (Page 198)

Atlantic 10 Conference did you know? From top: A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade with Dayton’s Justine Raterman; Rhode Island rower Megan O’Brien 198 MarCh 2013 Stevens and VCU’s Shaka Smart, when it added the Bulldogs and the Rams during the conference realignment craze. The schools have three Final Four appearances between them in the last five years. “[It] got people to pay attention,” observes Martelli. “The addition of these programs issued a challenge that it’s time for all of us to step up our game.” Commissioner McGlade leveraged her decades of experience in athletic administration to attain the most far-reaching media and television rights deal in conference history. Last October, the conference announced eight-year partnerships with ESPN, CBS Sports Network, and NBC Sports Group. Beginning with the 2013– 14 season, the Atlantic 10 media footprint will reach more than 33 million television households, or one-third of the U.S. television market. “The new media-rights agreement is historic for the Atlantic 10,” McGlade says. “We increased our national appearances and game distribution by more than 100 percent. This branding exposure not only enhances our basketball/athletic programs, but it increases our institutional exposure and recruitment of all undergraduate students.” Notes new Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley: “Kids want exposure, and that’s the type of television deal a conference needs to attract top talent and program-changing [players]. It changes the way people perceive the league nationally, which is vital in this age of power football conferences.” Just as key to the perception and reputation of a league is the location of its signature event: the usairwaysmag.com atlantic10.com Chris DiSano, a member of the United States Basketball Writers Association, is president of CollegeChalktalk.com and is an Atlantic 10 television analyst for Cox Media. photos (from top) Courtesy of: mitChell leff/atlantiC 10 ConferenCe; rhode island athletiCs the a-10 boasts some of the most historic venues in the nation, including three of the five oldest nCaa basketball arenas still in use. rose hill Gymnasium has been fordham’s home since 1925; saint Joseph’s, la salle, and temple still play in the palestra, built in 1927; and Butler’s hinkle fieldhouse, featured in the hit film Hoosiers, opened in 1928. the 2013 nCaa First Four will mark the 13th straight year march madness has tipped-off in Dayton, ohio. “first four” refers to the first four games of the nCaa tournament, where the last four at-large entrants into the field of 68 play the last four conference champion, automatic-bid teams. dayton’s ud arena will again play host. postseason conference championship. With its move to the Barclays Center, home of the NBA Brooklyn (formerly New Jersey) Nets, the Atlantic 10 has again come up aces. The arena will also host the women’s championship game this month, one day before the men’s. “Our ability to partner with Barclays Center — in the No. 1 media market in the country — made an immediate statement that the A-10 has relevance as a great basketball conference,” McGlade says. With the Atlantic 10 tournament upon us, a champion will be crowned on Sunday, March 17. Later that evening when the NCAA tournament selection show airs, pay attention to the A-10 teams that will be vying for the 2013 national championship. You can bet opposing coaches will. “The number and quality of NCAA-level teams in the Atlantic 10 is unmatched, and the depth of this league is unlike any year since its founding,” says Don DiJulia, director of athletics at Saint Joseph’s. “The timing of the move to the Barclays Center is perfect. It is a spectacular building in a market that owns a great basketball tradition and has a strong base of hoops fans. Joining with one of the nation’s premier basketball conferences, it should prove to be a very special weekend in March.” http://www.atlantic10.com http://www.CollegeChalktalk.com 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