BOSTON – America East Conference Commissioner Brad Walker has received a contract extension that will keep him in his position through at least June 30, 2028. The contract extension was approved by the conference’s Board of Presidents.
“On behalf of the America East Board of Presidents and its member institutions, we are thrilled to continue under Brad’s leadership,” said UMBC President and America East Board of Presidents Chair, Valerie Sheares Ashby, “Brad’s role in bolstering America East membership and the conference adopting a bold new brand identity are just small samples of his successes over the last four-plus years. His fierce support of our student-athletes and thoughtful collaboration with all America East universities have positioned the conference and its member institutions well to successfully navigate uncertain times within college athletics going forward.”
Walker, just the fourth commissioner in the conference’s 46-year history, is in the midst of his fourth academic year in the role since starting in September, 2021.
“I am extremely appreciative of the Board of Presidents for allowing me the opportunity to continue to serve America East’s member institutions as Commissioner,” said America East Commissioner, Brad Walker. “Through collaboration with our member institutions and with the support of a dedicated conference staff, together we have made great strides in providing an environment for our athletic programs to achieve success and for our student-athletes to obtain a life-changing athletics experience. I look forward to continuing this endeavor the next several years and helping our schools achieve success as we navigate unchartered times within college athletics together.”
Taking over during complex times, Walker helped guide the conference out of the COVID-19 pandemic and through wide-spread conference realignment nationally. Under Walker’s leadership, Bryant University was added as a full member institution in 2023 to help fortify the conference academically, athletically and geographically.
Walker has also helped strengthen the conference brand prioritizing exposure through linear and digital platforms. He recently oversaw a collaborative process that resulted in a transformative new brand identity for the conference, which was rolled out in February, 2024. The result was a dynamic and powerful primary mark that boldly accentuates the conference’s name as well as a compelling narrative built on the core values of unity, toughness and unyielding resolve and a new tagline “Where Champions Rise.”
Walker has prioritized working together with the league’s member institutions to best position them for success athletically and academically. During his tenure, the University of Vermont became the first America East team in any sport to win a Division I national championship as the Catamounts captured the 2024 men’s soccer national title last month. Additionally, programs in several sports have thrived, winning postseason games, earning national rankings and beating high-profile teams.
He has also advocated strongly for student-athletes, prioritizing the student-athlete experience within America East and fostering athletic and academic success.
In addition to his impact within the conference, Walker has influenced decisions at the national level through his service on various NCAA committees. He currently serves on the Division I Men’s Basketball Oversite Committee and is Vice Chair of the Playing Rules Oversight Panel.
Prior to joining America East, Walker spent five years as the NBA G League’s Head of Basketball Operations and was also a veteran college administrator with stops at the Ohio Velley and West Coast Conferences. A former student-athlete himself, the Milwaukee, Wisc. native played men’s basketball and graduated from Bentley University.
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 -