2002 to 2003 – National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

2003 was an exciting year for NACWAA as the organization celebrated its 25th anniversary. While NACWAA had plenty to celebrate, members were also very aware of the tumultuous times in the country and economy in the early 2000s. President M. Dianne Murphy emphasized the importance and value in bonding together during these difficult times.

“I believe this is a time when we can look around us and see what really matters in our lives: friends, family, community. There is value in friendship, in the support that we can give one another when it seems we have little external control over the matters of the economy and the nation. This organization is meant to be that kind of network for you, a place where we act as an extended family, develop friendships, and seek out mentoring opportunities” (NACWAA Spring Issue 2003).

Dianne continued: “I encourage you to take advantage of the special community we have going on in NACWAA, to reach out to others when you need encouragement and support. We are not meant to be isolate athletics administrators who carry on with an iron will no matter what the emotional cost. Our network goes deeper than the nuts and bolts of what we do for our programs. We are a community, and a community takes care of its own. Take this time to reflect on what you need from each other, whether it be laughter or tears or just a willing ear to listen” (Spring Issue 2003).

Regardless of the challenges, NACWAA continued to move forward together with optimism and resilience.

With Title IX at risk in the early 2000s, Dianne also encouraged members to be mindful of the threats to Title IX and to actively protect the equality and opportunity Title IX provides.

“The female athletes of today and generations of women yet to come are counting on us to preserve their right to train and compete on a fair and equal playing field. The women who work in athletics today —the coaches, trainers, staff, and yes, administrators—are also counting on us. Great women have brought us this far; let’s not squander their hard-won legacy” (NACWAA Fall Issue 2002).

Other major accomplishments from NACWAA during this time:

•   Under the direction of Dianne, NACWAA created and implemented an updated strategic plan
•   The quarterly NACWAA Newsletter began being published online
•   Fall Forum grants for Dll and Dlll SWAs were made available by the NCAA
•   The 2003 Fall Forum raised over $50,000
•   Coalition was formed with the NAGWS, NWLC, WSF, AAUW and others to support Title IX during the Department of Education review
•   The Strategic Alliance was formed with the Women Coaches Academy to enhance education and professional development for women in coaching
•   NACWAA increased its efforts in recruiting coaches into membership

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.

Dr. M. Dianne Murphy is known for leading Columbia University Athletics during the most successful periods of its history from 2004 to 2015. Under her 11 year tenure, Columbia won a total of 30 Ivy League titles in 11 sports. She also worked to develop and launch several projects such as the Columbia Hall of Fame, Leaders for Life program that provides leadership development for student-athletes, First-Year Transition Program for incoming students, and the largest capital campaign in the university’s history.

Outside of Columbia, Dianne established the Distinguished Lecture Series in Sport Management at Florida State University and the Dr. Dianne Murphy Female Student-Athlete Leaders for Life Program at Tennessee Technological University.

Prior to Columbia, Dianne served as the Director of Athletics and Recreation at the University of Denver from 1998 to 2004. While at Denver, she oversaw the program’s transition from an NCAA Division II to Division I. Before beginning her administrative career, Dianne coached basketball for 13 seasons.

Dianne has also served on various committees and boards such as the NCAA Athletics Certification Committee, NCAA Gambling Task Force, the NCAA Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee, the Board of Director’s of the Women’s Collegiate Sports Awards and the State Farm Wade Trophy Selection Committee. She has also been recognized as Administrator of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Association in 2004 and named the General Sports Turf West Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA in 2007.