Adrianne Swinney Named to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors as the Women Leaders in College Sports SWA Appointee 

PRESS RELEASE

March 26, 2020
Contact: Chanel Barnes 
Women Leaders in College Sports
c[email protected]
816.389.8208

Kansas City, Mo.—The Women Leaders in College Sports Board of Directors has selected Adrianne Swinney to serve as the SWA Appointee on the 24-seat NCAA Division I Board of Directors.   

“I’m truly humbled by this selection to serve in the role of SWA Appointee to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors," Swinney said. "Serving alongside the distinguished members of the board while representing the SWA voice for all of Division I is a true honor and responsibility that I look forward to. Both Jane Miller and Julie Cromer have done outstanding jobs in this role, and I look to continue that during my tenure.”  

Swinney is in her second year as the Chief Operating Officer/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at the University of Connecticut (UConn). In this role, Swinney strives to support the vision to empower and foster organizational success and institutional prominence, while cultivating and preparing student-athletes for life in college and beyond. Swinney is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department with oversight for all internal units, communications, and the National C-Club. Swinney serves as the sport administrator for football, men’s soccer, softball, and swimming and diving (M and W) while also providing leadership to the department’s administrative team.   

Before UConn, Swinney held the position of Deputy Athletics Director/SWA at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) for three years. She was elevated to the deputy role from Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA after one year on staff. Swinney came to UNCW from Jackson State University, where she served as the Associate Athletics Director/SWA (2010-14), also helping to run the day-to-day operations of the department. Early in Swinney’s career, she served as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Director of Sports Medicine, and a Head Women’s Basketball Coach.  

Swinney's unique career path with a variety of professional experiences has provided her with a vast perspective on the student-athlete experience and has fueled her personal commitment to delivering a quality student-athlete experience.  

The Women Leaders in College Sports SWA Appointee will serve on the DI Board of Directors for a term of three years. She will also serve in an ex-officio role to the Women Leaders Board of Directors. The SWA is appointed to broadly represent the senior woman administrator role as it is fulfilled throughout Division I.   

“Adrianne Swinney is an outstanding leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the DI Board of Directors,” says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. “Her years of experience in the SWA role across several institutions has positioned her to make an immediate contribution to the DI Board of Directors and broadly represent the SWA role across all of Division I.”  

Swinney will shadow current SWA appointee, Julie Cromer, Ohio University, at the next NCAA Division I Board of Directors meeting before her term officially begins.  

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 (formerly NACWAA; 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.