Longtime Regis Athletic Director Barb Schroeder Announces Retirement

Longtime Regis Athletic Director Barb Schroeder Announces Retirement

by Jeremy Phillips, Regis Sports Information Director

Denver, Colo.: Regis University Director of Athletics Barbara Schroeder announced today that she will retire effective June 1, 2010. A national search will begin immediately for her successor.

"I am very appreciative for the career opportunities that Regis University has given me," says Schroeder. "They have allowed me to not only do my job but to have the flexibility to be involved in other professional arenas especially the NCAA and NACWAA. I am also grateful for the relationships that have been established as a result of working in intercollegiate athletics. I will cherish these relationships forever and wish everyone at Regis, in particular the coaches and athletic department staff, nothing but the best."

Regis University President Father Michael Sheeran S.J. states, "We wish Barb all the best as she enters this new stage of her life, but she will be missed at Regis. She has had a major impact on athletics not only here at Regis, but also through her leadership in the NCAA for many years. Her commitment to the full development of our students - both on the field of play and in the classroom - has lifted our athletic program to new heights and produced a generation of scholar athletes who have gone on to serve their communities and professions. She has been a blessing to all of us."

Schroeder has been leading the Ranger athletic department since 1995, but has an even longer history working Regis University athletics. She was the associate director of Athletics from 1987-95 and prior to that served as the head women's basketball coach from 1981-87, compiling a 134-118 record in nine seasons.

Under her tutelage, 26 Ranger teams made NCAA Division II postseason appearances, including a final four appearance by the volleyball team in 1998. The addition of one of the premier soccer pitches in the country also serves as a visible testimony to the many improvements made during her tenure as athletic director. More importantly, Regis student-athletes have had numerous academic acheivements under her direction, as well as a graduation rate that exceeds the Regis general student population.

Legendary men's basketball coach Lonnie Porter says, "Barb has been a consumate professional in her role as athletic's director. The growth of the athletic department and the effect she has had on Regis University is a direct result of her leadership." Coach Porter and Schroeder coached alongside each other for nine seasons and that relationship has been strenghtened over the years. "She is family," states Porter. "We have been together for 29 years and the support that she has given to me as a friend and colleague will never be forgotten."

Schroeder most recently was the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) President, presiding over the 2,000 member organization. NACWAA is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to enhance and promote opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics administration. She has been involved with NACWAA for 20 years in a variety of capacities and was honored as Administrator of the Year by NACWAA in 1998. In 2003, Schroeder was selected as one of 14 female athletic administrators nationwide (the lone selection from NCAA DII) to participate in the NACWAA Institute for Athletics Executives.

"We are really excited that Barb has the opportunity to take this next step in her life," stated Associate Director of Athletics Ann Martin. "In her 29 years, she has worked tirelessly for student-athletes, gender equity and Regis University. I have been honored to work alongside her the last five years and she will be missed."

Schroeder had also served on the NCAA Division II Championships Committee from 1996-2001,and chaired that committee from 1998 through 2000. She was Vice Chair of the NCAA Division II Management Council from 1998-2001, one year after she was initially appointed to the council. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named her the West Region Division II Athletic Director of the Year in 2005 and she was a member of their Division II Board of Directors in 2006 and 2007. One of Schroeder's many honors occurred in 2005 when she was selected as the GeneralSports TURF Systems NCAA DII West Region Athletic Director of the year presented by the National Association of Collegiate Director's of Athletics (NACDA).

Longtime volleyball coach Frank Lavrisha comments, "Barb's direction of the athletic department is relationship based, she gave us autonomy in a way that we could run with our own programs and make them ours. In my 23 years, I have seen her passion for athletics and Regis University show through her character and purpose. She recognizes the success of the student-athletes on and off the court."

Schroeder has also been honored for her work on the local level. In 2007, she received the Sportswomen of Colorado "Leadership Award", while in 1997 she earned the Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award. In 2004, the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports inducted Schroeder into their Hall of Fame She was honored as NACWAA's District VI Administrator of the Year in 1998 and was twice selected as the Administrator of the Year at Regis University in 1995 and again in 2000.

A native of East Alton, Illinois, Schroeder earned both her Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1978) Degrees from Western Illinois University. During her collegiate career at WIU, Schroeder competed on both the women's basketball and tennis teams.

For all media/interview requests please contact Sports Information Director Jeremy Phillips.