BOSTON - The America East Conference has always prided itself on providing a forum for its current student-athletes to excel in all three pillars of the student-athlete experience – athletics, academics and leadership on and off the field. With the goal of extending that forum beyond graduation, the conference announced the establishment of the America East Student-Athlete Alumni Network on Wednesday, believed to be the first of its kind for a Division I conference.
“We invest so much in helping our student-athletes prepare for life after college,” said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen. “It just seems natural to continue to provide opportunities and engage our student-athletes after graduation as they find success in a variety of areas. I’m excited to see this initiative take root and evolve because the possibilities are endless.”
With the conference’s concentrated geographic footprint, including the major cities of Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., a high percentage of America East alumni can be found within this region, including former student-athletes. The AE Student-Athlete Alumni Network will provide a mechanism for former student-athletes to professionally network with their peers – locally, regionally and globally – while also fostering legacy ambassadors for the conference’s #3Pillars platform.
“The creation of a Student-Athlete Alumni Network is a fantastic way for our former student-athletes to expand their individual networks and connect with the many successful graduates across the league through their unique identity as a student-athlete,” said Marty Scarano, Director of Athletics at the University of New Hampshire and current Chair of the America East Athletics Directors’ Council. “This will provide a great benefit to current and prospective student-athletes across all nine schools, and my colleagues and I are proud to be a member of a league so committed to advancing student-athlete engagement with new initiatives such as this.”
As part of the AE Student-Athlete Alumni Network, the conference will look to establish an online and digital networking presence for former student-athletes as well as plan in-person networking opportunities amongst other initiatives.
What They’re Saying About the AE Student-Athlete Alumni Network:
“I’m excited about the America East Student-Athlete Alumni Network and its potential to enable student-athletes to connect with peers across universities, sports, and disciplines within the league. I met some extraordinary people while a member of the America East and I look forward to using this forum both personally, and professionally, to build upon my network as I continue in my career.”
--Curtis Schickner, 2012 UMBC graduate and former baseball student-athlete who is currently,Technology Ventures Analyst, Constellation in Baltimore.
“Whether you bleed Stony Brook red like I do, sport the green for Vermont or anywhere in between, this America East Student-Athlete Alumni Network will provide the opportunity for all of us to come together as proud alums and have a support system under the conference umbrella. To connect with people who share a common passion for the America East could open the doors for new friendships, business ventures and career developments.”
-- Dani Klupenger, 2013 Stony Brook graduate and former women’s basketball student-athlete - Team Reporter, St. Louis Rams
“This network will help give student-athlete graduates an opportunity to re-connect with their respective schools and re-gain the comradery that comes with being a part of such a unified conference. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to keep in touch with those who played such a significant role in our athletic and academic careers, and a conference alumni network will allow graduates to maintain and strengthen the relationships made during their time in college while simultaneously working towards creating a stronger, more well-connected professional network base.”
-- Bill Bereszniewicz, 2014 Binghamton graduate and former baseball standout, Hedge Fund Accounting Analyst, J.P. Morgan in Boston
About America East: The America East Conference provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.