Conferences: The University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and Saint Louis University officially began their membership with the Atlantic 10 Conference in July as the league embarks on its 30th anniversary year. "A-10 membership has never been as strong as it is now," said league Commissioner Linda Bruno. "In Charlotte and Saint Louis, we are adding two members who will tremendously boost the national profile of all our sports and expose our programs to two new markets in which our universities actively recruit. I am enthusiastic about the 2005-06 season and the future of the conference." The two teams boost Atlantic 10 membership to 14 institutions. The conference will do away with divisions employed in baseball and men's and women's basketball; however, divisional play will begin in women's volleyball. The other Atlantic 10 schools are the University of Dayton; Duquesne University; Fordham University; George Washington University; La Salle University; the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; the University of Rhode Island; the University of Richmond; St. Bonaventure University; Saint Joseph's University; Temple University; and Xavier University ... Another league celebrating 30 years in operation is the Sun Belt Conference, which unveiled an anniversary logo to replace the traditional conference logo for the 2005-06 season. Also to commemorate the anniversary, the league will name all-time teams in 19 sports, as well as the "top 30 moments" in Sun Belt history. The founding members of the league in 1976 were the University of New Orleans; the University of South Alabama; Georgia State University; the University of Jacksonville; the University of North Carolina, Charlotte; and the University of South Florida. Today, the conference's 13 members are the University of Arkansas, Little Rock; Arkansas State University; the University of Denver; Florida Atlantic University; Florida International University; the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; the University of Louisiana at Monroe; Middle Tennessee State University; New Orleans; the University of North Texas; South Alabama; Troy University; and Western Kentucky University.

Miscellaneous: Gary Cunningham, director of athletics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (ADA). "As an athlete, coach and athletics administrator, Gary has continually displayed excellent leadership, dedication and a commitment to making collegiate sports better," said 2004-05 Division I-AAA ADA President Cheryl Levick, director of athletics at St. Louis University. "His kind and effective leadership style makes him a friend to all and a wonderful role model for all student-athletes. He is very deserving of this award." Cunningham's career in intercollegiate athletics has spanned 40 years. The former basketball player for coach John Wooden later served as his assistant coach. Cunningham was later named the head coach at the University of California, Los Angeles (1977-79), and posted a two-year mark of 50-8, winning two Pacific-8 Conference championships. Cunningham later served as the director of athletics at Western Oregon State College (1979-81), the University of Wyoming (1981-86), California State University, Fresno (1986-95), and UC Santa Barbara (1995-present). Cunningham was chosen as NACDA's James J. Corbett Award winner in 2003 ... Drake University President David Maxwell and Drake Athletics Director Dave Blank unveiled a new logo and design for the school's athletics teams in a July 26 news conference. The new logo features an updated, more realistic Bulldog mascot and a new typeface that highlight Drake's traditional blue and white colors. "Our new logo is a product of much feedback from various constituents on and off the Drake campus," said Blank. "Our top priorities included creating a new and distinctive 'D' along with an exciting version of 'Spike' on the move. I am very comfortable that our result accomplished both goals in a classy manner." A 12-member university task force sought input from current students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and the community. In all, more than 67,000 members of the Drake family were given the opportunity for input. "A graphic identity must respect our traditions, yet move us forward as we seek to serve the needs of our constantly expanding constituency," Maxwell said. "You want people to look at one small design in text, art and color and think, 'Oh, that's Drake University.' We got what we wanted." In addition to the athletics logo, Drake's academic programs also will sport a new logo beginning in the fall. Both logos were designed by Phoenix Design Works in New York City, which has designed high-profile logos for events such as the Super Bowl.

-- Compiled by Gary T. Brown