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Linda Bruno
Commissioner
Atlantic 10 Conference |
The 2006-07 season marks the 13th season that Linda Bruno has served
as commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference, guiding the league
to unprecedented prosperity and acclaim while bettering the quality
of the student-athlete experience.
Since being named the fourth full-time commissioner of the Atlantic
10 Conference on June 14, 1994, Bruno has strengthened the Atlantic
10's membership with the additions of Dayton, Fordham, La Salle, Richmond,
Charlotte and Saint Louis; negotiated two television deals with ESPN
- the most lucrative and extensive packages in league history; was
among the first to a signed contract with College Sports Television;
added women's rowing, men's and women's outdoor track & field,
and women’s lacrosse to the Conference's championship slate;
and created officiating bureaus for baseball, field hockey, men’s
and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball to better serve
those Atlantic 10 programs.
She also spearheaded the Atlantic 10's move into college football
by orchestrating the league’s operational takeover of the Yankee
Conference in 1997.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed nationally as she was named among
the top 20 most influential women’s in sports business by Street
& Smith’s Sports Business Journal - the only collegiate
administrator to be recognized. She earned the 2004 Outstanding Commissioner
Award from the All-American Football Foundation and was named 1995
Person of the Year by Eastern Basketball magazine.
Bruno's comprehensive background in Division I athletics has provided
her with extensive experience in the areas of compliance, membership,
television, and licensing, which serve her well as she confronts issues
affecting not only the Atlantic 10, but all Division I institutions.
In her role as Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bruno has been instrumental
in ensuring that the Conference continues to maximize national television
exposure. Atlantic 10 basketball was broadcast by ESPN and ESPN2,
as well as on the self-syndicated Emmy Award-winning Atlantic 10 Television
Network’s regional package. In addition, the Conference’s
contract with College Sports Television called for several Olympic
sports to be televised.
Bruno also oversees the baseball, men's and women's basketball, field
hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball,
and football officiating programs and continues the Conference's dedication
to student-athletes by endorsing the sponsorship of Academic All-Conference
teams in each of its sports. She also began the Commissioner's Honor
Roll, which recognizes all Atlantic 10 student-athletes with a 3.5
GPA or better.
Prior to joining the Atlantic 10, Bruno spent 11 years with the Big
East Conference, where she served in various capacities. She joined
the league in 1983 as its director of championships before being elevated
to associate commissioner in 1987. She held that position when she
was named commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
In her previous role, Bruno oversaw the administration of 18 Big East
championships, as well as serving as the league's compliance administrator.
Additionally, Bruno assisted with the development of the league's
women's basketball Game of the Week television package, coordinated
its awards programs, and oversaw scheduling in several sports.
The Iona College graduate began her career in intercollegiate athletics
in 1977 at her alma mater, serving as an administrative assistant
to the director of athletics for one year. She served in several athletics
administration positions during her five years at Iona before accepting
the position of manager of contests and promotions at Yale University
in 1982. After her promotion to assistant athletic director, Bruno
joined the Big East in 1983. Bruno was inducted into the Iona Athletic
Hall of Fame during the summer of 1998.
A native of Pelham Manor, NY, Bruno received her Master's degree from
Iona and currently serves on its Board of Trustees. She resides in
Philadelphia, PA |
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