Staff pictured (Left to Right): Jill Redmond, Assistant Commissioner; Henry Archuleta, Director of Compliance; Beth Bradley, Director of Administration; and Lucas Feller, Assistant Commissioner.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.—The Atlantic 10 Conference launched a year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary today with the unveiling of a commemorative logo.
The anniversary logo was developed by 160over90, the branding agency that also designed the current A-10 marks, which were introduced last summer. The 160over90 agency also orchestrated the league’s “Next” national branding campaign which has earned praise as well as a CLIO Sports Award in 2014.
The year-long 40th anniversary celebration will include integration of anniversary elements into championships, apparel, digital and social media. The conference will present each A-10 student-athlete and coach with a limited edition 40th anniversary t-shirt symbolizing the hard work and sweat equity realized every day during training and competition. The Atlantic 10 will also host a 40th anniversary celebration in conjunction with the men’s and women’s basketball championships scheduled in March of 2016 at the Barclays Center and the Richmond Coliseum. The league will pay tribute to the past and toast the future as part of the A-10 Legends Celebration.
“This 40th anniversary year is a significant milestone for the conference. Atlantic 10 history has proven that a Division I Conference can excel athletically and academically,” stated Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “I salute the thousands of student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have elevated the Atlantic 10 to prestige and national relevance. The 2015-16 season will be a year of celebration laced with gratitude for all who have built this conference.”
Founded as a basketball conference on March 2, 1975, the league began with eight schools, including founding and current members Duquesne, George Washington and Massachusetts. One year after the idea of a basketball-centric league was conceived, the A-10 held its first men’s basketball regular season and tournament, with Duquesne claiming the first-ever championship. Known then as the Eastern Eight, the conference began to grow with new members and in 1982 was renamed the Atlantic 10. Since then, the conference has grown into a 14-institution, 21-sport league that is universally hailed as one of the best conferences in the country.
Both the primary and secondary versions of the logo are shown below.
What They Are Saying
“The Atlantic 10 has for 40 years focused on being the number one basketball-centric league in the country. Tremendous leadership, outstanding coaches, passionate fans and most importantly, some of the best players in their respective schools' histories have allowed this dream to become a reality.”
Phil Martelli
Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Saint Joseph’s University
“The Atlantic 10 has been an institution in college basketball and has epitomized competitiveness, class, and integrity at the highest of levels. I expect this upcoming year, as the league celebrates its 40th Anniversary, to be no different. The Conference has a bright future and is showing no signs of slowing down as one of the best basketball leagues in the country.”
Jon Rothstein
College Basketball Insider, CBS Sports
“The A-10 is truly a special conference. I am so honored to be a part of it as a head coach because I grew up in Philadelphia and attended so many games as a fan. The schools have so much history and tradition! When one of our players is recognized by the conference, I remind him of how many tremendous players have also been honored by this incredible conference. The company that we are in – as part of the A-10 – is truly special. We are so proud to be part of conference as it celebrates 40 amazing years!”
Chris Mooney
Head Men’s Basketball Coach, University of Richmond
“It’s truly amazing to me that in this era of league restructuring, the Atlantic 10 Conference continues to sustain its excellence. The league has not only maintained its presence as a basketball power, but has added to its prestige with a number of NCAA Tournament participants that have performed at an extraordinary level the last few seasons.”
Bill Raftery
Lead College Basketball Analyst, CBS Sports
La Salle University graduate and former basketball standout
“The Atlantic 10 has shown over the past 40 years that high-level academics and athletics can be successful together. We have changed and grown in four decades, but have always stayed true to these principles, and our commitment as a league to these ideals is as strong today as it was in 1975.”
Patrick Nero
Director of Athletics and Recreation, The George Washington University
Chair of the Atlantic 10 Athletic Directors
“We are constantly seeing change in the landscape of college athletics and specifically conference affiliation. Yet, one thing that has remained constant in the almost 20 years I have been involved, is the strength and endurance of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Coaches, players and teams have come and gone but the Atlantic 10 stays at the forefront of the elite conferences. The Atlantic 10 has an outstanding 40-year history and a bright future."
Stephanie Gaitley
Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Fordham University
“The Atlantic 10 has been and continues to be one of the consistently best basketball leagues in the nation. The league has some of the best players and coaches. Because of this our teams consistently have a presence in the post season. In addition, the fine basketball Atlantic 10 schools are in great cities and provide great learning experiences for their student-athletes.”
Jim Jabir
Head Women’s Basketball Coach, University of Dayton
“The A-10 has been a staple in college basketball as one of the top basketball-bred conferences. The history of city schools has helped the game grow over the last four decades.”
Andy Katz
Senior College Basketball Writer, ESPN.com