Baumgartner, Hoeg, and Thomas Named to Women Leaders in College Sports Board of Directors
Sandy Barbour to serve as 2020-21 President
PRESS RELEASE
October 16, 2019
Contact: Chanel Barnes
Women Leaders in College Sports
[email protected]
816-389-8208
Kansas City, Mo.—The Women Leaders in College Sports membership has elected the following to serve on the 2019-20 Board of Directors; Sarah Baumgartner, deputy director of athletics at Rutgers University; Portia Hoeg, Executive Director at Centennial Conference; and Etienne Thomas, director of athletics at Kentucky State University. The four-year board terms for Baumgartner, Hoeg, and Thomas officially began on October 13, 2019, when elected candidates were announced at the Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention in Phoenix. In addition, Sandy Barbour, vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Penn State University, will serve on a three year executive track, serving as president-elect in 2019-20.
Baumgartner has served as Rutgers' Deputy Director of Athletics since 2016. In her enhanced position, Baumgartner has oversight of all revenue generating and external departments, in addition to development and student-athlete services at Rutgers. Baumgartner previously held the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Development Officer following her hire "On the Banks" in 2013. Baumgartner additionally represents the Scarlet Knights' women's basketball, softball and women's golf programs as the sport administrator. Since her arrival "On the Banks," Baumgartner has spearheaded the department's development arm (R Fund) and launched the R Big Ten Build campaign, which recently surpassed the $100 million milestone.
Hoeg served as the executive director at Centennial Conference and is one of 18 female conference commissioners in NCAA Division III athletics and the first African-American woman to ascend to the commissioner’s chair at the Division III level. A veteran in Division III athletics with more than 15 years of experience in the field, Hoeg has worked in a variety of capacities while rising the administrative ranks at four different institutions. Prior to the Centennial Conference, Hoeg served as the Executive Director of Athletics at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. and the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.
Thomas is in her second year as the Director of Athletics at Kentucky State University. Thomas previously served as the Kansas University Associate Athletics Director of Student Life and as the liaison with the Office of Institutional Opportunity & Access (IOA). While at KU, Thomas oversaw Diversity, Gender Equity & Inclusion education and training for student-athletes, coaches and staff, as well as student conduct. She was also the sports supervisor for rowing. Prior to Kansas, Thomas worked at North Carolina Central University as the Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator, beginning in July of 2008, before being promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator in the fall of 2016.
One of the nation's most highly-respected Athletic Directors, Barbour has more than 35 years of varied experiences as a collegiate administrator and coach, with a demonstrated record of championships, academic success, innovation, facility modernization and revenue growth. With student success and comprehensive excellence as a steadfast focus, Barbour has helped the Nittany Lions continue to ascend and thrive as one of the nation’s most successful athletic departments.
Baumgartner, Hoeg, and Thomas step in for departing board members Jen Cohen, University of Washington; Julie Cromer, Ohio University; Pennie Parker, Rollins College; and immediate past president Julie Soriero, MIT.
View the complete Women Leaders in College Sports Board of Directors list here .
About Women Leaders in College Sports
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (www.womenleadersincollgesports.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,500 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes.