Tricia Bork, vice-president for championships and longtime contributor to intercollegiate athletics administration, has announced that she will leave the Association after 22 years as a member of the NCAA staff.

Her departure is effective July 31.

Bork assumed her current role in 1988 when she was named assistant executive director for championships. The title for the position was changed to vice-president in 1998.

Bork began her tenure with the Association in 1978 when she was hired as a publications editor. She moved to the championships staff in 1981. A year later, she was named as assistant director for championships and served as liaison to the first NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship, a role she maintained for the next 18 years.

During her years of service to the NCAA, Bork has overseen the establishment of and the tremendous growth in women's championships. She also served as staff liaison to many NCAA committees -- including the Executive Committee -- and the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet when the Association restructured in 1997.

"The NCAA championships program was nurtured by Tricia and as a result we have seen unprecedented growth in participation opportunities, enhanced competitive play and soaring attendance in almost every event," said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, senior associate director of athletics at DePaul University and chair of the Championships/Competition Cabinet. "Her commitment to the Association's student-athletes and coaches was all-encompassing and came from her heart.

"Tricia's reach touched thousands who never saw her face or knew her name, but who benefited immensely from her efforts to provide a level playing field, a first-class experience and a quality championship atmosphere. We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude for her career-long commitment toward helping student-athletes realize their dream of participating in an NCAA championship event."

NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey also acknowledged Bork's contributions to the Association.

"Over the last 12 years, Tricia has guided the NCAA championships staff through an unprecedented period of growth in popularity for championship events," Dempsey said. "Her contributions to the administration of these events has been tremendous."

Bork graduated from the University of Kansas in 1976 with a degree in journalism. She wrote and edited a trade publication of the Golf Course Superintendents Association for two years before joining the NCAA staff.

Dempsey said the Association will immediately launch a search to replace Bork.