American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco today released the Conference’s Strategic Plan, which focuses on providing students at its member institutions with the highest quality academic, athletic and personal experience competing in a Power 6 conference.The plan is a working document which identifies The American’s core philosophies and activation plans that will support the league’s mission. The Conference’s Strategic Planning Subcommittee, led by East Carolina University Director of Athletics and Chair of the Athletic Directors Committee Jeff Compher, and the Commissioner and his staff, worked collaboratively with the various conference constituencies as well as with consultants Wasserman Media Group, to develop this plan.“Our aim as a Power 6 conference is to pursue academic and athletic excellence at every level and within the context of our core values,” Aresco said. “Our mission statement and series of goals and strategies reflect the collective spirit of our schools as our student-athletes seek to distinguish themselves in their academic, athletic and personal pursuits. Our schools also seek to engage effectively with their communities and with their peers in the intercollegiate community. This document provides a blueprint for our Conference’s continued growth and success, and serves to enhance our cohesion and camaraderie in pursuit of our shared objectives. I want to thank Jeff Compher and all those who worked on our Plan for their outstanding contributions.”“The American Athletic Conference has enjoyed great success in many areas during its first four years of existence,” said Susan Herbst, University of Connecticut President and Chair of the Board of Directors. “The league’s new Strategic Plan will help guide our Conference in its next phase of development. College athletics is always in a pattern of change and it is important for The American to have a bold and aggressive plan as we look to the league’s future.”“Being a part of the team that created the first Strategic Plan for the American Athletic Conference was a rewarding and gratifying professional experience,” Compher said. “The Athletic Directors, Conference Staff and other leaders from each of our 12 member institutions came together to create a living document that provides a strong set of core values as well as high expectations for the future. We are committed to working to accomplish our goals as we continue to build an outstanding brand for the American Athletic Conference. Many thanks to Mike Aresco and to our other Committee members for their hard work in the process.”The plan highlights five pillars, which are the foundation of the Conference’s mission and which are key to maintaining and enhancing its role as a national leader in intercollegiate athletics.-Student Health, Safety and Well-Being-Academic Excellence-Athletic Excellence-Branding, Marketing, Communications and Public Relations-Revenue GenerationEach of these pillars contains specific goals, strategies and action items. The plan reflects The American’s institutions’ on-going and strong commitment to their outstanding student-athletes and coaches, and provides a roadmap for continued success.