Associate Commissioner Chad Dwyer gets you ready for spring championships in America East

Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) CEO, Diahann Billings-Burford and America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen join in this #3Pillars Academy episode to talk about how sports can be a catalyst for change and social justice.

0:35 Meeting Diahann Billings-Burford

3:53 What is the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)

6:10 Intersection of race and access to education

8:31 Current dynamic in young peoples lives dealing with race and education challenges

11:50 Strategy and tactics towards having difficult conversations

14:17 The role an athlete can have in race and social justice

16:30 Professional and college athletes addressing race and social justice issues

20:41 How can we extend the conversation

23:33 Diahann talks about her "wow" moments while at RISE

Associate Commissioner, Internal Operations Kate Bergstrom describes the America East mental health initiative, headlined by April's #BetterTo9ether games.

1:57 - #BetterTo9ether introduction

5:38 - Importance of mental health dialogue

8:14 - Inside #BetterTo9ether games

12:27 - Buy-in from all nine campuses

17:02 - Implementation of Awareness, Education & Policy

23:00 - Student-athletes driving mental health initiative

America East Associate Commissioner Kate Bergstrom praises the collective buy-in from the conference and how the next goals to help student-athletes with their mental health have been realized.

Hear the story of how two America East student-athletes competing in different sports are connected by their pursuit of becoming Marines. This reporting-style podcast hosted by Sam Schwartz gives you a look at their journeys.

:54 - Intro

1:25 - Sierra Tapley's inspiration

2:08 - CC Davies's ultimate goal

3:20 - Marine Corps Officer Candidate School Process

3:58 - Similarities to their sports

4:46 - Meeting each other

6:13 - Women in Marines

7:35 - Biggest challenge

8:00 - Outro

Sports Video Group's Director of Digital, Brandon Costa, joins the America East's #3Pillars Academy digital series in this episode. Brandon talks about the world of digital media and content in college athletics.

:55 Brandon introduction

3:55 Recent digital media trends

7:15 Streaming space

10:15 Linear productions and exposure

14:30 Video departments on campuses

15:41 Technology becoming more user-friendly

17:10 Adding layers of storytelling to live productions

18:42 Communications staff and their access to coaches and student-athletes

23:00 What it looks like to get support from student workers

26:30 Upcoming Sports Video Group (SVG) events

Vermont men's basketball and Maine women's basketball are back in the NCAA Tournament. Hear what the experience is like for seniors Ernie Duncan and Tanesha Sutton.

1:57 - Ernie Duncan

2:46 - Advice for younger guys

3:24 - Shift in focus for second career March Madness appearance

4:08 - Days leading up to game

5:04 - Excitement for playing NCAA game close to Vermont

6:40 - Playing with two brothers, Everett and Robin

10:10 - Motivation to win against Florida State

11:32 - Tanesha Sutton

12:17 - Finishing senior season with championship

12:57 - Unexpected success at Maine

14:21 - Family support

15:46 - Bringing experience back to NCAA Tournament

17:19 - Keys to winning against NC State

19:47 - Goal to keep playing

20:34 - Team attitude leading into March Madness

Ernie, Everett and Robin Duncan will play in the 2019 NCAA Tournament for the Vermont Catamounts and Ernie is appreciating every moment.

Current Salt Lake City Stars guard and former UMBC guard Jairus Lyles reflects back on the Retrievers' becoming the only No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history.

No. 1 Vermont and No. 3 UMBC will compete for an #AEHoops title and NCAA Tournament berth for the second-straight year. Head coaches John Becker and Ryan Odom discuss their teams' approach to the championship game. Former America East basketball stars Trae Bell-Haynes and Jairus Lyles check in to offer their takes on Saturday's matchup.

1:21 - Vermont Head Coach John Becker

13:51 - UMBC Head Coach Ryan Odom

29:39 - 2x Player of the Year Trae Bell-Haynes

42:58 - 2018 Most Outstanding Player Jairus Lyles