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Game Changers

Game Changers: Bernadette McGlade

Photo: CHUCK GERLOFF PHOTOGRAPHY

A
tlantic 10 Conference Commissioner Bernadette McGlade thought a change in perception for her conference was in order when she took the position in 2008.

Bernadette
McGlade
ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE
Most constituents, she said, viewed the A-10 as the best non-BCS conference in America. “I found that really conflicting,” McGlade said. “You’re stating a positive about your conference, but you’re using negative terminology.”

So McGlade in 2010 instituted a five-year strategic plan, and after a spate of conference realignment and renewed television deals with ESPN, CBS and NBC, she’s happy with the A-10’s current state of affairs.

“I feel like there’s a calming sense right now,” she said. “Our conference membership is as strong as it’s ever been.”

McGlade also was the driving force behind the men’s basketball tournament in 2013 moving to Barclays Center, and in February the conference launched its “Who Wants Next?” national branding campaign in an effort to promote the A-10’s basketball success.

In July, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators named McGlade their 2014 Administrator of the Year.

“Bernadette has, in every aspect, been an outstanding ambassador for collegiate athletics,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford, whom McGlade served under as an assistant commissioner and then associate commissioner between 1997 and 2008. “She has made an impact as a student athlete, coach, school and conference administrator, and now as a commissioner.”

— Josh Carpenter

  • Biggest professional achievement: Just successfully working with great organizations and good people. I’ve had four periods: when I was an athlete at UNC; at Georgia Tech, I worked the ’96 Olympics for a 16-month period; then with the ACC and A-10. I’d just say a culmination.
  • Biggest professional disappointment: For a period of time, I wanted and thought I would be a D-I athletic director. I secured several interviews but was told twice, unofficially, “They just weren’t ready to hire a female.” 
  • Woman in sports business you’d most like to meet: I would like to meet and talk with Condoleezza Rice. Her athletic and sport acumen, in practice and business, is fascinating, and I would value a moment with her.
  • Best advice received: “Work hard, stay dedicated and always be positive” (from my mom).
  • Outside of work and family, I’m spending a lot of my time on … : Exercising and just visiting a lot of other family.

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