Conference To Honor Doyle, Lewis and Moretti at Tournament Next Week....

A-10 to Honor and Recognize Moretti, Doyle and Lewis at the 2015 Championship

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- One year ago the Atlantic 10 lost three staff members that were closely connected to women’s basketball programs in the Conference, Brian Moretti, Ginny Doyle and Natalie Lewis.

Moretti, an Assistant Sports Information Director at St. Bonaventure, unexpectedly passed away from a heart condition on March 5. Then two months later on May 9, Doyle and Lewis, both members of the women’s basketball coaching staff at Richmond, were tragically lost in a hot air balloon accident.

In honor of their contributions to their institutions and respective women’s basketball programs, the Atlantic 10 has announced plans to pay tribute to all three during the Final of the 2015 A-10 Women’s Basketball Championship on March 8 at the Richmond Coliseum.

A-10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade and representatives from Richmond and St. Bonaventure will present a check to the family members of these three staff members. The Atlantic 10 Conference will donate a portion of ticket sales from the Women’s Basketball Championship to each memorial fund. A half-time presentation is planned for Sunday’s final game which tips off at 1:00 p.m. and will air live on ESPNU.

The scholarship fund in Moretti's name is at his high school alma mater, Cranston (R.I.) West, while the University of Richmond has established the memorial funds in the names of both Doyle and Lewis. Donations can be made to Brian Moretti’s scholarship fund by sending checks to the Rhode Island Foundation at 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903. In the memo section, please specify: Brian Moretti Fund.

Those wishing to make contributions to either the Doyle or Lewis memorial funds can send donations to the University of Richmond, 28 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, Va. 23173.

Tickets for Sunday’s game and the entire 2015 A-10 Championship are now on sale. The championship, which includes all 14 A-10 teams, will be held at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va., from Wednesday, March 4 through Sunday, March 8. Tickets can be purchased by visiting richmondcoliseum.net. Tickets can also be bought at the Richmond Coliseum box office at 601 E. Leigh Street, by calling 804-780-4970 or by visiting ticketmaster.com.