BOSTON – The America East Conference recently concluded its summer meetings with several of its leadership groups, including the Board of Presidents, Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators and men’s and women’s basketball coaches. The productive meetings were held June 4-6 in Annapolis, Md. while the Board of Presidents met June 19 in Boston.
“It is a critical time in college athletics and our membership was fully engaged in thoughtful and productive conversations that will help guide us forward as a conference,” said America East Commissioner, Brad Walker. “Our Board and Administration Group also approved progressive recommendations that will move us forward as a conference. As a result, we are well positioned to thrive during the 2024-25 academic year and beyond.”
Important national topics were discussed at both meetings, led by NCAA staff. Mario Morris, senior vice president of administration, Jenn Fraser, vice president of Division I governance and Amanda Conklin, managing director of Division I. Conklin, provided updates on the proposed house settlement and the impact on NCAA Division I institutions. The updates guided internal discussion about the conference’s path forward during these transformative times.
The conference’s men’s and women’s basketball coaches met on June 4 and jointly with the league’s Administration Group, on June 5. The groups discussed the shared commitment to continue to invest in the success of men’s and women’s basketball. In support of that commitment, the Administration Group approved the coaches’ groups recommendations that each men’s and women’s basketball program provide Alston education-based benefits to their student-athletes starting in 2025-26. The Board of Presidents approved the recommendation on July 19.
In other conference business, membership discussed enhancements to championships and the student-athlete experience. The Administration Group approved raising host standards for the men’s and women’s basketball playoffs as well as ESPN+ streaming standards. The group also approved the 2024-25 America East Championship calendar.
Additionally, the conference’s two most important leadership bodies have new chairpersons, effective today. UMBC President Valerie was appointed the next chair of the Board of Presidents while Vermont Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman is chair of the Administration Group.
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -