I intended to write this letter when I first heard of Tricia Bork's resignation as NCAA vice-president for championships, but I failed to do what Tricia would have done -- stay at work late or take it home and get it done. Now that I finally am catching up on my NCAA News editions and have read of Tricia's departure, I feel it is appropriate to reemphasize the gratitude and appreciation the membership feels toward Tricia's work at the NCAA.

Anyone who is involved in championships administration or with one of the committees Tricia so expertly staffed understands the magnitude of her departure. During the majority of her tenure, Tricia oversaw the administration and staff that worked with more than 80 championships in 22 different sports, and she was devoted to providing quality championship experiences for student-athletes in all of those events.

I have seen the results of Tricia's hard work as an administrator both in the membership and as a former NCAA staff member. As a former staff member, I can attest to Tricia's reputation as a tireless worker for the membership. Among all employees, she often was the first to work and the last to leave. And anyone in the membership who has experienced the thrill of having one of its teams participate in a championship can attest to the quality of the event, and thereby Tricia's leadership.

In my opinion, NCAA championships are the most consistently positive aspect of the Association's operation. While it takes a team to execute these events, Tricia Bork deserves much credit for providing leadership for the team and ensuring the quality of its efforts.

We all have seen championship athletics events, such as the Olympic Games, scarred with scandal and abuse in aspects that range from the site selection to the event operation itself. NCAA championships have been protected from these negative elements by Tricia Bork's leadership, which emphasizes integrity and compliance. Tricia always has put the membership's best interest and goals first. Tricia has been the role model for what it takes to be an effective NCAA staff member in accomplishing the goals that the membership believes to be important and doing so with grace, vision and integrity.

For all of this, Tricia (and I believe I speak for many colleagues), I say thank you.

Amy P. Perko
Associate Director of Athletics/
Senior Woman Administrator
University of Kansas