Division I Men's Basketball

Scott named managing director of the 
NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship

By David Worlock

JoAn Scott has been named the NCAA’s managing director for the Division I men’s basketball championship. Scott will work with men’s basketball vice president Dan Gavitt and current managing director Jeanne Boyd, who she will succeed after the 2014 Final Four.

Scott comes to the NCAA after spending the previous 17 years with Nike, including the last four as the director of governing body relations. She joined the company in 1996, serving as manager of Nike Sports Entertainment, before becoming an event manager for Nike Basketball in 1998 and then manager of NCAA Division I conferences and National Federation of High School relations in 1999. She was promoted to director in 2002 and held that post until 2009.

Scott served as assistant to the executive director of USA Basketball from 1987-90, before becoming the organization’s senior administrative assistant from 1990-92 and the director of basketball operations from 1992-96. She was an integral part of the USA Basketball administration that managed the original Dream Team at the 1992 Olympics, as well as the 1996 Olympic team. She also oversaw Nike’s sports marketing efforts at the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games. While working for Nike, Scott served as the venue manager for the 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Indianapolis.

She was a two-sport student-athlete at Nebraska-Kearney, from which she received her bachelor’s degree in 1986. She also earned her master’s in business administration from Butler University in 2005 and volunteered as a high school volleyball and basketball coach while working for USA Basketball.

“JoAn brings to the NCAA diverse and deep relationships throughout the membership and basketball community, and her different experiences in marketing and event management will provide incredibly valuable perspective,” said Gavitt. “I’m excited to have her on board. Our staff, and the entire NCAA championships and alliances group, is stronger with JoAn on our team.

“We’re also fortunate that Jeanne Boyd, who has directed the championship for more than 10 years, will continue her excellent leadership as managing director through the 2014 Final Four in North Texas. By bringing JoAn on board now, she can work alongside and learn from Jeanne for the next several months, before leading future Final Fours as the managing director. We are planning on retaining Jeanne as a consultant in the future, as she has been a trusted advisor for the championship.”

Scott will join the committee and staff November 4-6 in North Texas, where issues related to officiating, ticketing, Final Four site selection, the upcoming season and other Association matters will be discussed.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the NCAA staff and Dan and Jeanne’s team to assist with managing the best basketball event in the world,” Scott said. “I cherish the time I’ve spent at Nike and USA Basketball, and I’m grateful that I’ll be able to maintain the great relationships that have been built through those experiences while establishing new ones.”

What others are saying

Ron Wellman, Director of Athletics, Wake Forest University, and chair of the Division I men’s basketball committee: “JoAn is an excellent addition to the men’s basketball staff and her great amount of expertise and understanding of the importance of college basketball will serve the entire membership well. She will be a welcome addition to every venture the men’s basketball committee considers in the future.”

Jim Boeheim, head basketball coach, Syracuse University: “JoAn is one of the best people I know at building relationships. She understands how to work with people. JoAn will be a tremendous asset for the NCAA.”

Bob Bowlsby, commissioner, Big 12 Conference: “JoAn Scott is a true professional. She is universally admired and respected at all levels of sport. Through her excellent work at Nike and with USA Basketball JoAn has built a reputation for hard work, decisiveness, efficiency and honesty that will serve the Men’s Basketball Tournament very well. JoAn is an excellent addition to an already outstanding staff.”

Barry Collier, Director of Athletics, Butler University: “Congratulations to JoAn Scott, Dan Gavitt and the NCAA!  JoAn Scott is a great hire for the position of Managing Director of Men’s Basketball Championships with the NCAA.  She has a long and distinguished career in the athletics industry and has outstanding ability to work collaboratively to accomplish the goals of the NCAA.  JoAn has as much capacity for work as anyone I have ever seen.  She is tireless, selfless and a joy with which to work.  She is very intelligent, an excellent communicator and is always thinking ahead.  Her qualities are many and great but the most important thing to me is that I trust her, completely.”

Jeremy Foley, Director of Athletics, University of Florida: “JoAn is as talented an individual I have ever come across and is a home run hire for the NCAA. She is a tremendous asset to the men’s basketball championship and will do a wonderful job for all of us in Division I.”

Mike Krzyzewski, head basketball coach, Duke University: “The NCAA made a fabulous addition in hiring JoAn Scott. The sport of basketball is all about relationships and there are few, if any, people in our industry who have better relationships in place than JoAn. In addition, she will bring the highest level of strategic thinking into this important role. This is a terrific day for college basketball as she will be an amazing asset for the organization and the sport.”