LEAD1 Affiliation (LEAD1), which represents the athletics administrators of the 134 member colleges of the Soccer Bowl Subdivision (“FBS”), has introduced it is going to be renamed FBS Athletics Administrators Affiliation. The Affiliation additionally introduced that former LEAD1 Board of Administrators Chair and up to date Director of Athletics on the College of Pittsburgh, Heather Lyke, has been appointed Performing President and Chief Government Officer of the Affiliation. The appointment of Lyke comes after Tom McMillen, who has served as President and Chief Government Officer of LEAD1 since 2015, beforehand introduced that he might be stepping down on September 30, 2024.
Together with the title change and a brand new President and CEO appointment, the Affiliation will now function in affiliation with the Nationwide Affiliation of Collegiate Administrators of Athletics (NACDA), and adjustments might be made to its construction, conferences and membership dues. The Affiliation’s annual assembly will now happen through the NACDA & Associates Conference, to be held subsequent 12 months from June 8-11 on the World Middle Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida. The FBS Athletics Administrators Affiliation is vital to proceed constructing collegiality all through this occupation and bringing collectively FBS athletics administrators to deal with the success of student-athletes and serving to each other navigate the long run challenges dealing with the intercollegiate athletics enterprise.
“After gathering suggestions for greater than a 12 months from our members, it was clear that we would have liked a brand new path for LEAD1 in some ways, and our title change, affiliation with NACDA and the appointment of Heather demonstrates our robust want to serve our members extra successfully,” stated Warde Manuel, Chair of the FBS Athletics Administrators Affiliation and the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics on the College of Michigan. “I’m grateful that Heather has accepted the function of Performing President and CEO, as she brings speedy credibility, broad experiences and demonstrated success as an athletics director to our group.”
“It’s an honor and a privilege to step into this function and to serve a corporation that has meant a lot to me and so many different athletics administrators,” stated Lyke. “Whereas I stay up for as soon as once more serving on a campus, I’ll pour my coronary heart and soul into the Affiliation to make sure a easy transition throughout the NACDA household. Whereas we’re all rivals, the respect I’ve for my colleagues at our 134 member establishments is deep and the relationships we’ve got shaped are real. I’m humbled by their belief in me to assist lead our Affiliation throughout this transition.”
“This can be a transformational second for our group and our enterprise as an entire,” stated Desiree Reed-Francois, Vice-Chair of the FBS Athletics Administrators Affiliation and the Director of Athletics on the College of Arizona. “Heather is aware of our group effectively and has been an influential voice as we’ve got restructured. Whereas I’m assured that she is going to quickly return to the seat as an athletics director, I admire her willingness to offer her time and experience now throughout this transitional interval.”
“The evolution of LEAD1 to the brand new FBS Athletics Administrators Affiliation and becoming a member of the NACDA household comes at a pivotal time in our trade,” stated NACDA President Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Basis-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director at The Ohio State College. “The training, connection and assets that might be out there to all FBS athletics administrators because of this transition will make a direct optimistic affect throughout the occupation. We are able to and will proceed to advocate for and strengthen school athletics via our positions as thought leaders on our campuses, within the FBS Athletics Administrators Affiliation and NACDA.”
