The Atlantic 10 Conference, commonly known as the A-10, is a collegiate athletic conference with 16 member institutions from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. The conference, established in 1976, is composed of universities, some of which are private, some public and some independent. The universities in the conference are found in states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Some of the member universities include the College of William & Mary, Duquesne University, and St. Joseph’s University.
History and Significance
The Atlantic 10 Conference was founded in 1976 when several member schools of the Colonial Athletic Association withdrew to form their own league. It was originally composed of 13 members and remained that way until the addition of Xavier University, in 1995. Several other universities have joined since then, including George Washington University, in 2005, and Davidson College, in 2014. The conference is an NCAA Division I league, meaning its member schools are eligible to compete in the NCAA tournament.
The Atlantic 10 has shown itself to be one of the premier mid-major conferences in the nation; its members have won numerous NCAA tournament games and have produced several professional athletes. The league also boasts some of the best universities in the region, offering its student-athletes both a rigorous academic and athletic environment.
Member Institutions
The Atlantic 10 Conference is made up of 16 member institutions, with 11 of them located in the Northeastern United States and five in the Mid-Atlantic region. The member universities compete in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, and football, among others.
- Fordham University (Bronx, NY)
- St. Bonaventure University (St. Bonaventure, NY)
- George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)
- Davidson College (Davidson, NC)
- Dayton University (Dayton, OH)
- St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, PA)
- La Salle University (Philadelphia, PA)
- University of Rhode Island (Kingston, RI)
- University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA)
- Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
- Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA)
- George Washington University (Washington, DC)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
- Richmond University (Richmond, VA)
- Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO)
- College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)
Sports Competed in the Atlantic 10
The Atlantic 10 Conference is home to a variety of sports, which are all divided into two divisions, the East and West. The conference sponsors 19 sports in total: 10 for men and nine for women. The sports include basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, field hockey, volleyball and more. Some of the most prominent sports sponsored by the A-10 are men’s basketball, baseball, and football, and women’s soccer, field hockey, and basketball.
Notable Achievements and Rivalries
The Atlantic 10 Conference has enjoyed much success in its time, with its members winning numerous NCAA tournament games and producing several professional athletes. A few of the most notable achievements include the following:
- St. Louis University’s men’s basketball team won the A-10 conference championship in 2014.
- Dayton University’s men’s basketball team made the NCAA Final Four in 2014.
- La Salle University’s men’s basketball team won the NIT tournament in 2013.
The Atlantic 10 Conference is also home to some of the most competitive rivalries in college sport. Some of the longest-standing rivalries are between La Salle and St. Joseph’s universities, Richmond and VCU, and most prominently, Saint Louis University and Dayton. These rivalries have been around since the conference’s inception and have produced some of the most memorable moments in college sports.
Conference Governance and Scheduling
The Atlantic 10 Conference is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors, which is elected each year by the conference’s member institutions. The board is responsible for making policy decisions and is made up of the presidents of each of the member universities. The board also oversees the administration of the conference, including scheduling, championship events, and member services.
Each season the Atlantic 10 Conference holds a regular season schedule with each of its member institutions playing each other at least once, typically home-and-away. The schedule also includes a conference tournament, held annually at the end of the regular season, to determine the A-10 champion. The winner of the tournament receives the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Impact and Role of the Atlantic 10
The Atlantic 10 Conference plays an important role in college sports both locally and nationally. It has had a significant impact on the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern sports scene, providing quality competition and offering student-athletes the opportunity to pursue their goals both on the field and in the classroom. The conference’s annual tournament also provides fans with an opportunity to come out and support their teams.
The Atlantic 10 has also been an important part of the national sports scene, providing several teams that have made deep runs in the NCAA tournament in recent years and producing several professional athletes. The conference’s success has also helped it expand, both in terms of member institutions and sports offered, making it a destination for athletes who want to compete at the highest level.
Future Prospects of the Atlantic 10
The Atlantic 10 Conference has had a lot of success in recent years and there is no reason to think it will not continue this trend in the coming years. The conference has added several new members, such as Davidson College and George Washington University, in recent years and continues to expand its reach. The member universities are also committed to providing their student-athletes with an excellent academic and athletic experience, which is sure to help the league continue to thrive.
In the future, the Atlantic 10 Conference is expected to remain one of the top mid-major conferences in the country. Its member universities are expected to continue to make deep runs in the NCAA tournament, and its student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level. The conference is also sure to continue to produce top-notch professional athletes that will become legends in their respective sport.

