DALLAS, TEXAS – The American Athletic Conference held its annual fall meeting of presidents and athletic directors on Nov. 1 in Dallas, Texas.
Highlights of the meeting included a review of the Conference's strategic plan, which will be released in January, as well as discussions involving the Conference's concussion protocol and NCAA governance issues, which include proposed recruiting and early signing legislation.
“I am extremely pleased with the annual Fall meeting of our presidents and athletic directors” said American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco. “There was great camaraderie in the room, as well as a renewed determination to reinforce and enhance our compelling Power 6 narrative. We have tremendous momentum and will continue to increase our public recognition with exciting new branding initiatives. We had substantive discussions of proposed NCAA legislation and a review of our health and safety initiatives, among other things. I am also excited about the finalizing of our strategic plan, which will provide a blueprint for our bright future."
A key focus of the meeting was the branding campaign being developed in cooperation with the league’s branding partner, Rare Design. The Conference will soon roll out new creative elements that highlight the athletic and academic success of its outstanding student-athletes and recently rolled out a set of redesigned championship logos.
The Conference announced several appointments. University of Houston Chancellor Renu Khator will become Vice Chair of the Conference's Board of Directors, replacing Stead Upham, who retired as Tulsa's president on November 1 after a long and distinguished career, Vice Admiral Ted Carter, superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, will serve on our league's Board Executive Committee, and SMU president Gerald Turner will represent the American on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers.
The Conference's athletic directors voted to hold its annual and very successful football media days on July 16-18, 2017 in Newport, Rhode Island.