Arrigoni Hall of Fame
Linda Bruno enters the Iona College Goal Club Hall of Fame as the first female athletics department administrator in Iona’s history.
Bruno’s ties with the department began as a student-worker during her undergraduate years. She rose to the administration level as administrative assistant to Jim Valvano in 1977. The following year, Linda became Iona’s first female athletics administrator and academic advisor to Iona’s student athletes. Bruno’s presence at Iona was vital in shaping today’s progressive department, particularly in regards to women’s athletics.
In 1982 Bruno moved to Yale University before joining the Big East Conference in 1983. Linda served as associate commissioner to Dave Gavilt during that conference’s meteoric rise through the 1980s.
Following 11 successful years in the Big East Conference, Bruno was hired in 1994 as the fourth commissioner of the Atlantic 10 Conference. As commissioner, Linda has guided the league to new heights by strengthening its membership, negotiating television deals, and spearheading the Atlantic 10’s move into college football by orchestrating the league’s operational takeover of the Yankee Conference in 1997.
Bruno has often been referred to as “one of the most powerful women in sports.” She was instrumental in negotiating the $1.2 billion CBS Sports television package for the NCAA.
Linda has remained active in the Iona College community, serving on the Board of Trustees and as an active member of the Goal Club. She earned her undergraduate degree from Iona in 1976 and a Masters in Education in 1979.
