At the conclusion of Stony Brook’s basketball championship game victory in the America East Conference, star forward Jameel Warney exclaimed “Our house rules!” in front of the ESPN camera. Nobody, outside of the victorious Stony Brook players and coaches, smiled more than Amy Huchthausen, the America East’s commissioner.
When Huchthausen convinced the league’s coaches and athletic directors to adopt a new championship format starting last season, she knew she was taking a chance. But she also knew that the AE moving to a playoff-like format would distinguish the conference from its peers like the Atlantic Sun, Patriot League and Northeast Conference. The AE playoffs call for each game to be played on campus at the higher seed. The teams then are reseeded each round to give the higher seeds the greatest advantage.
“Our house rules” is one of the new slogans Huchthausen’s team established to market the new format.
“We’re trying to build a legacy and affinity community for the America East similar to what exists in bigger conferences like the Big Ten or SEC,” she said. “The campaign called #OurHouseRules promotes the playoffs during the regular season to convey the importance of gaining home-court advantage. Then, we create a playoff atmosphere at each host campus to distinguish it from a regular-season contest with conference branding and images.”
Huchthausen has led the America East since 2011, having worked at the NCAA for more than five years before that. She’s also a former Division III softball player, so she’s been able to draw on her experiences as a student athlete to shape her focus as a conference commissioner, as well.
So when she sees an athlete making the connection with a conference initiative, such as “Our house rules,” “We know we’re onto something,” Huchthausen said.
— Michael Smith
Amy Huchthausen
America East Conference | Commissioner
Age: 39
Where born: Seoul, South Korea
Education: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (B.S., exercise and sport science)
Advice I’d give to my younger self: Take the time to visit your grandparents and mom more often because they won’t be around forever. Don’t waste time.
2016 will be a good year if: Our country actually elects a president.
Person in the industry I'd like to meet: Adam Silver or Bob Bowman.
I’d like to change jobs for a day with: A U.S. Supreme Court justice. I’ve always been fascinated by the law, but especially the process by which law is interpreted.
Groups supported: NACWAA; You Can Play.
You'd be surprised to know: I love fast food.
