2016 to 2017 – National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

Under the direction of Vicky Chun, NACWAA saw tremendous change and unparalleled growth in numbers and resources in 2017. Major milestones included rebranding the organization from NACWAA to Women Leaders in College Sports, launching the Women Leaders Podcast, and unveiling a new annual scholarship for women employed at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

On February 21, 2017, NACWAA officially changed its name to the Women Leaders in College Sports. The name was the culmination of a yearlong effort to develop a stronger name that more clearly demonstrated the organization’s mission: to develop and advance women leaders at all levels of intercollegiate athletics.

In the words of Vicky:

“This great organization has experienced enormous growth and influence within intercollegiate athletics. Having a new name and logo, which describes who we are and what we do, is a natural and exciting part of this progression. The need and support for female leadership has never been more vital than it is now, and Women Leaders in College Sports has a proven track record to fulfill this need within the college sports industry and beyond.”

In May of 2017, the Women Leaders Podcast launched. In every biweekly episode, Women Leaders CEO Patti Phillips talks with a broad range of industry women whose career paths are inspirational and empowering. Vicky was the very first episode published on the Women Leaders Podcast.

Beginning at the 2017 National Convention, Women Leaders offered a brand-new scholarship program that provided funding for three women employed at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Each scholarship covers one year of Women Leaders membership, and one registration and accompanying travel costs to the National Convention.

The HBCU scholarship program serves as part of Women Leaders’ larger Women of Color Initiative, which addresses the needs and barriers women of color experience in relation to access, advancement, and retention in collegiate athletics.

Other major accomplishments from NACWAA/Women Leaders during this time:

• Relaunched website and membership database to assist in streamlining internal processes and enrich the membership experience
• Launched #BecauseofTitleIX Campaign, spotlighting members and celebrating the 45th anniversary of Title IX
• Organized the first-ever two-track NCAA/Women Leaders Executive Institute
• Partnered with Glenn Wong and Arizona State University on a research initiative examining the hiring trends of DI and DIII Athletic Directors
• Hosted Raise Your Game Leadership panel during the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament
• Registration for National Convention reaches all-time high: 835 attendees
• Launched Revenue Generation Track at Convention, in partnership with Paciolan and Learfield
• A record breaking 37 women advanced into AD/Commissioner/Leadership roles; 4 of whom were women of color

Lisa Campos, Northern Arizona University
Joni Comstock, NCAA, Ex-Officio NCAA
Missy Conboy, University of Notre Dame
Julie Cromer, University of Arkansas
Lori Hendricks, Mount Holyoke University
Lynn Hickey, Past President, University of Texas-San Antonio
Heather Lyke, Eastern Michigan University
Jacqie McWilliams, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Jane Miller, University of Virginia, Ex-Officio NCAA Dl Board Appointee
Pennie Parker, Rollins College
Lindsay Reeves, University of North Georgia
Julie Ruppert, Northeast-10 Conference
Julie Soriero, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Meg Stevens, Averett University
Jennifer Strawley, University of Miami
Tracy Warren, Buchalter, Legal Counsel
Miechelle Willis, Ohio State University

Vicky Chun was appointed the Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics at Yale University on February 1, 2018.  Vicky is the first woman and first Asian American to serve in this role. 

Recognized by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal as a “Game Changer,” Vicky has earned a stellar reputation as one of the most innovative and widely-respected leaders in NCAA Division I athletics. In March 2018, Vicky was selected as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year, where she was celebrated for raising the bar as a thought leader and decision maker in college athletics. Most recently, Vicky was selected to the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Annual Salute Gala Committee.

Prior to joining Yale University, Vicky served as the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Colgate University, where she had the distinction of being the first Asian American woman Athletic Director in NCAA Division I history.

At Colgate, Vicky led several major capital projects, including a 97,000-square-foot arena, a soccer and women’s lacrosse complex, a football locker room renovation, and a new academic services center.

A former student-athlete and Division I Coach, Vicky is relentless in her belief that a winning athletic program must produce measurable results both on and off the field. Vicky has a demonstrated track record of elevating her teams to new levels of success. During her years at Colgate, the men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, football, and volleyball teams earned national rankings. Vicky hired eight new head coaches who brought their programs to national prominence. She also improved the student-athlete experience and initiated a head-injury reduction strategy for practices in all contact sports.

At the national level, Vicky has been an advocate for excellence and diversity and inclusion in college sports. One of only 40 members of the NCAA Division I Council, she serves as vice-chair of the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee and sits on the newly created Division I Football Competition Committee.

Vicky is a native Californian and devoted daughter born to first-generation Chinese American parents, Victor and Susan Chun.

Learn more about Vicky in her Women Leaders Podcast episode.