The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- July 19, 1999

Championship staff gains women's basketball group

NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey has announced staffing changes in the national office designed to provide additional support for the Division I Women's Basketball Championship and increase the support for the Association's other championships.

For the first time, the NCAA will add staff devoted solely to the administration of the Division I Women's Basketball Championship, separating the administration of that event from the championships group and integrating that function with the administration of the Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

The Association will reallocate four positions to administer the women's championship: a vice-president for Division I women's basketball, an executive assistant, a director of Division I women's basketball and an assistant director/media. The new vice-president will report to NCAA Senior Vice-President Thomas W. Jernstedt.

"These changes reflect the tremendous growth of the women's basketball championship over the last several years," Dempsey said. "We believe that a staff devoted entirely to that event will ensure that this growth continues in a very positive manner."

Tricia Bork, NCAA vice-president for championships, has announced that she will remain in that position.

"I am very excited about being able to devote more time, energy and attention to all championships," Bork said. "I believe I will be better able to facilitate the staff's work with the sports committees and the entire governance structure."

Bernadette McGlade, assistant commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference and chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, said she welcomes the increased staffing for the women's championship.

"As interest in and exposure of this championship has grown," she said, "the women's basketball committee has recognized the need for a full-time staff to administer the event. And as a proponent of the other NCAA championships, I am excited about the enhancements that will now be possible by the added attention they will receive."

Jernstedt said the NCAA hopes to have the new positions filled by late summer.