MACON, Ga., June 19, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Atlantic Sun Conference rises in place of the former Trans America Athletic Conference. The change in name and logo, approved by the Conference Presidents Council on June 14, represents the focal point of an overall branding and identity program for the Atlantic Sun.
"Our Conference has evolved dramatically over the past ten years and we felt the timing was appropriate for this change," said Commissioner Bill Bibb. Bibb was a founder of the Conference in 1978 while he was Athletic Director and Basketball Coach at Mercer University. "The logo is bright and exciting and I think that reflects the overall message we intend to spread about the schools and student-athletes in the Atlantic Sun."
The identity program's main goal is to make a lasting connection between the visual image and the accomplishments of the member schools and their student-athletes. The Atlantic Sun stands alone as far as athletic achievement in NCAA Championship competition as it is the only IAA/IAAA conference in the country to have postseason wins in men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball over the past four seasons. During that period the A-Sun has also put competitors into the National Championship round in men's golf, women's golf, men's cross country, women's cross country and women's track & field.
Academically, the Atlantic Sun shines exceedingly bright with a remarkable 45% of all student-athletes earning All-Academic Honors (3.0 or better) in the past four years. The Conference boasts some of the finest institutions in the southeast, including prestigious private schools and flourishing public schools. The location of the members is also exciting. In the states where the A-Sun has members, it covers seven of the top ten media markets.
The Atlantic Sun worked with Phoenix Design Works (New York, NY) on the name and logo project. With plans for continued marketing and branding emphasis, the future is nothing but bright for the Atlantic Sun. For more on the history, achievement and members of the Atlantic Sun, visit us at www.atlanticsun.org on the World Wide Web.
The Atlantic Sun membership includes Belmont (Nashville), Campbell (Buies Creek, N.C.), University of Central Florida (Orlando, Fla.), Florida Atlantic (Boca Raton, Fla.), Georgia State (Atlanta), Jacksonville State (Jacksonville, Ala.), Jacksonville (Jacksonville, Fla.), Mercer (Macon, Ga.), Samford (Birmingham, Ala.), Stetson (DeLand, Fla.), and Troy State (Troy, Ala.); Gardner-Webb (Boiling Springs, N.C.) will join the Conference for the 2002-03 season.
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CONTACT: Atlantic Sun Conference, Macon
Jo-Anne Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Media Relations
478/474-3394
Fax: 478/474-4272
www.atlanticsun.org