WASHINGTON, D.C. – Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade announced Wednesday that she will step down at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year, marking the end of a distinguished 45-year career, including the last 18 years leading the A-10 as the fifth commissioner in the league's 50-year history.
 
McGlade's tenure as A-10 Commissioner saw the league welcome VCU prior to the 2012-13 season. VCU has reached unprecedented heights since joining the league, winning 59 conference regular season and tournament championships. McGlade helped position the A-10 for long-lasting success through expansion, television rights deals and unwavering support of the league's student-athletes.
 
ED MCLAUGHLIN, VCU VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
"I would like to congratulate Bernadette on an outstanding career and for her exceptional leadership as the commissioner of the Atlantic 10 for the last 18 years. My time on the NCAA's Division I Council, as well as on the Division I Women's Basketball Oversight Committee, has allowed me to see first-hand the national impact she has made. Her tireless efforts and vision have allowed the Atlantic 10 and its member institutions to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. I was honored to work alongside Bernadette as the Chairman of the Council of Athletic Directors as well as on the expansion and television committees. We are forever for grateful to her and the Atlantic 10 for welcoming VCU into the conference and providing our student-athletes with world-class opportunities. Bernadette's presence will be greatly missed but she has positioned the Atlantic 10 to remain successful in this new landscape of collegiate athletics."
 
PHIL MARTELLI JR., HEAD COACH, VCU MEN'S BASKETBALL
"[Bernadette McGlade's] legacy will be felt in this conference for the next 50 years. To do what she's done and to deal with what she's had to deal with… when she was first coming into the league, it was conference realignment, and she was able to navigate that, and then it's COVID, and then it's the transfer portal and NIL and all these things. It's really a credit to her."
 
BETH O'BOYLE, HEAD COACH, VCU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
"Bernadette has long been a pioneer in the game of women's basketball and collegiate athletics. Her influence as a player, coach, administrator and commissioner has helped elevate the game to where it is today. I am extremely grateful for her time and efforts in leading the Atlantic 10 for nearly two decades."