PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has been named one of six finalists for the
SportsBusiness Journal/Daily Sports League of the Year Award. The awards will be presented at the ninth annual Sports Business Awards ceremony on May 18 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square.
The other five finalists for the Sports League of the Year Award include Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, National Basketball Association and PGA Tour.
In early May, a panel of judges, including sports industry executives and representatives of
SportsBusiness Journal/Daily, will evaluate the nominees and determine the winners by a private vote based on accomplishments from March 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016.
The American also will be represented in the Athletic Director of the Year category by Chet Gladchuk, who was responsible for the U.S. Naval Academy’s entrance into the Conference for football beginning in 2015, and who is among four finalists for that award.
“I am honored that The American has been recognized by
SportsBusiness Journal for our achievements over the course of the past year,” Commissioner Mike Aresco said. “I could not be prouder of what our conference collectively has accomplished since its reinvention three years ago. Our presidents, athletic directors and Conference staff have worked diligently to ensure success at all levels. This is a tribute to our student-athletes and coaches who have provided us with many memorable moments on and off the field. We have much to celebrate and our future is bright.
“I also want to congratulate Chet Gladchuk. He is an extremely deserving nominee and a great friend to The American. We are honored to have Navy as a member of our Conference in football.”
The American, which has existed under its current auspices for three years, celebrated unprecedented success during the 2015 football campaign as three teams – Houston, Navy and Temple – were ranked in the final College Football Playoff top-25. In addition, the conference had four teams ranked in the Nov. 8 national polls and at least three ranked in each of the last eight polls of the season. Houston, which won the inaugural American Athletic Conference Football Championship, defeated No. 9 Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl to finish 13-1, while Navy defeated Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl to complete an historic 11-2 season.
The Connecticut women’s basketball team won its third consecutive national championship and 10
th overall national title. SMU’s Bryson DeChambeau won the NCAA title in men’s golf and went on to win the U.S. Amateur championship. The conference also placed four of its baseball teams (Houston, East Carolina, Tulane and USF) in the NCAA Tournament.