2012 to 2013 – National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

During Robin Harris’ time as president, the organization saw tremendous growth with a membership increase of 20%, a record-breaking National Convention, and 27 women advancing into AD/commissioner positions, a 42% increase from 2012.

NACWAA’s 34th National Convention in San Diego was the association’s largest convention to date with 651 paid attendees, which marked an attendance increase of over 43% in just one year. 

“To have over 650 attendees and a sold-out hotel is phenomenal. Our membership and programming provides tremendous value for our members, and it also provides value on a corporate level. It’s remarkable to see the worth of what we do both in and out of our membership,” Robin said. 

In 2013, the organization encouraged members to “lean in” with NACWAA to better connect, grow, lead, and advance in the industry. In efforts to better connect the organization’s national membership, NACWAA launched “Growth Circles” to provide members with common interests or industry specialties a platform and voice to come together, share best practices, and be empowered to impart positive change. This initiative is known today as “Member Circles.” 

“Being the president has been so exhilarating and inspiring. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful association, and it has been an amazing opportunity to exhibit the ‘women helping women’ mantra and be a part of the NACWAA energy,” Robin said.

Other major accomplishments from NACWAA during this time:

• Raised nearly $90,000 for the NACWAA Foundation Fund and granted 52 scholarships to attend NACWAA or affiliate programming 
• 50% of 2012 NCAA/NACWAA Leadership Enhancement Institute graduates advanced 
• Moved national office in July to a larger location in the Crossroads Art District in Kansas City  
• Under the newly developed Advancement Initiative, the NACWAA Advancement Center and NACWAA Candidate List was created and implemented. These tools allowed NACWAA to work proactively and closely with search firms and hirers by providing names of qualified women for positions at the mid and senior levels

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.

Anucha Browne, NCAA
Grace Calhoun, University of Pennsylvania
Kim Chandler, Macalester College
Vicky Chun, Colgate University
Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Drake University
Julie Hermann, Past President, University of Louisville
Amy Huchthausen, America East Conference
Debby DeAngelis, Cal State-East Bay
Janet Judge, Sports Law Associates LLC
Lori Mazza,  University of Pittsburgh, Bradford
Erin McDermott, University of Chicago
Joan McDermott, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Chris Plonsky, President-Elect, The University of Texas
Cathie Schweitzer, Springfield College
Jane Miller, University of Virginia

Since becoming the Ivy League Council of Presidents’ second full-time Executive Director in 2009, Robin Harris has led the Ivy League to new heights in a number of areas. She oversaw the implementation of the Ivy League Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments; guided the League in the creation and development of the Ivy League Network (ILN) and the transition to a ten-year partnership with ESPN; implemented a continuing, broad-based concussion research and prevention initiative; expanded and negotiated the Ivy League’s television coverage agreements; fostered a long-term relationship with JMI Sports to introduce new League-wide sponsorship deals; and focused the League’s communication on core messaging points. 

She has continued to help the League’s member schools foster an unrivaled experience for Ivy League student-athletes towards a foundation for life-long success through a broad-based offering of athletic and academic pursuits.

Robin came to the Ivy League office after seven years at Ice Miller, LLP, based in Indianapolis. At Ice Miller, she served as senior counsel and co-chair of the Collegiate Sports Practice and worked with the firm’s college and university clients on a variety of matters related to athletics.

Prior to Ice Miller, Robin worked nine years in increasingly responsible roles at the NCAA national office, ending her tenure at the NCAA national office in 2002 as associate chief of staff for Division I.  From 1993 -1998, she was the NCAA’s first director for the Committee on Infractions. Robin is or has been a member of numerous professional associations, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Women Leaders in College Sports, National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC).

Robin is a graduate of the Duke University School of Law, where she served as an editor of the Duke Law Journal. Her student note, “Does the NCAA Play Fair? A Due Process Analysis of NCAA Enforcement Regulations” was published in the Duke Law Journal. She also received a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Duke. Robin and her husband, Max, have two daughters, twins Alexandra (Alex) and Vanessa.

Learn more about Robin in her Women Leaders Podcast episode.