2008 to 2009 – National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

During Barbara (Barb) Schroeder’s time as president, NACWAA saw new challenges and changes as the organization powered through a poor economy and the transition of executive director Jennifer Alley’s retirement.

As the organization continued to change, grow and evolve, Barb encouraged members to contribute to the financial health of NACWAA and the mission of the organization.

“I hope I can look back at 2009 and my time as president and know the actions of our Board of Directors, Jennifer Alley, and I served as a springboard to a healthy future for our association,” Barb said.

In the words of Jennifer,

“We have been able to reach this 30-year milestone thanks to the great leadership of our association, and we only continue to get larger and stronger. This year has brought about many accomplishments for NACWAA, including recently launching our official mentoring program, which successfully matched 59 mentors with mentees.”

After an outstanding tenure as executive director for NACWAA, Jennifer retired in December of 2009. She was granted the Director Emeritus title through 2011.

“A heartfelt thank you and best wishes to Jennifer Alley who will be retiring as our executive director at the end of this year. During Jennifer’s tenure, our organization has grown and flourished. Her many initiatives have assisted hundreds of women to become strong, influential leaders in our field. I can’t thank her enough for all she has done,” Barb said.

A national search for Jennifer’s replacement began in November of 2009.

Other major accomplishments from NACWAA during this time:

• All NACWAA/Hers institutes were renamed NCAA/NACWAA Institutes
• Developed a NACWAA Facebook page
• Changed the convention dates from Saturday through Tuesday to Sunday through Wednesday
• Ran a $30 for 30 fundraising campaign acknowledging 30 years of empowering women and supporting women in athletics administration
• Recognized all NACWAA past presidents at the 30th anniversary convention

NACWAA continued to be committed to recognizing the achievements and successes of administrators working in athletics. Click here to view all NACWAA/ Women Leaders in College Sports award winners.

Barbara (Barb) Schroeder is well known for her successful 29-year tenure at Regis University where she served in many positions. She began her time at Regis as the head women’s basketball and tennis coach before transitioning into administration. After serving for eight years as the associate athletic director, Barb was named the director of athletics in 1995, where she served for 15 years before her retirement in 2010.

Prior to Regis University, Barb taught and coached women’s basketball and tennis at Monmouth College from 1979-1981.

In conjunction with her career, Barb has served on many NCAA committees, including the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee and chair of the NCAA Division II Championship Committee from 1998 to 2000.

In recognition of her dedication to excellence, Barb was recognized twice as the Administrator of the Year at Regis University, received the Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award from Sportswomen of Colorado Organization, honored as NACWAA’s Administrator of the Year, inducted into the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Hall of Fame, selected as NACDA’s Division ll West Region Athletic Director of the Year, received the Sportswomen of Colorado’s Leadership Award, and was awarded the St. John Francis Regis Service Award from Regis University.

In November of 2009, Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore became the first woman pilot to fly with the prestigious Red Arrow troop, breaking the men’s monopoly of the 45-year-old squad.

Women have been trying to break the Red Arrow ceiling for several years. Kirsty, at age 32, was the first to make the grade after a rigorous apprenticeship in the RAF’s fastest jets. She has flown Tornados on combat missions in Iraq and earned a reputation as a calm and knowledgeable trainer at RAF Valley in Wales.

Kirsty decided she wanted to join the RAF at the age of 13, when she watched the Arrows looping their trademark trail patterns from her childhood home.

Additional news in 2009:

Ayana Pressley became the first female African-American City Councilwoman in Boston, Massachusetts.