Jenn Bell Named NCAA Division II Nike Executive of the Year Award Winner
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Converse University Athletics Director Jenn Bell has been named the NCAA Division II Nike Executive of the Year, the Women Leaders in College Sports announced today.
"I am humbled to receive such an incredible honor," Bell said. "I want to thank Women Leaders in College Sports and my Division II colleagues for selecting me for this prestigious award. While my name is on the award, I am blessed to work with an amazing team of administrators and coaches who partner with me to pursue excellence daily and serve our student-athletes to the best of our ability."
"Jenn Bell is incredibly deserving of this award in addition to her honor earlier this year as the NCAA Division II Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year. Her efforts over the last few years to help Converse thrive in its efforts to implement men's athletic programs along with the already long successful women's athletics programs is second-to-none. We fully believe that Conference Carolinas has some of the best and most elite Directors of Athletics in all of NCAA Division II and this honor for Jenn continues to further our belief. Being a Director of Athletics is a very rewarding, but tough job and Jenn is tireless in her efforts for Converse, Conference Carolinas and NCAA Division II," said Conference Carolinas Commissioner Chris Colvin.
Bell is the first Conference Carolinas executive to win the Nike Executive of the Year Award. Over the past few months, Bell has been named to the Advisory Board for the Business of Small College Athletics (BOSCA), named the NACDA Cushman & Wakefield Athletic Director of the Year for NCAA Division II and was named the Third Vice President for the D2 Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA).
Bell enters her sixth year as the Director of Athletics during the 2023-24 academic year. Under Bell's leadership, Converse Athletics has developed a winning culture – in the classroom, in the sports venue and in the community. Throughout the institution's recent model change, Bell led the department through a successful transition from a single-gender athletics program to a coed program by adding six male sports, esports, and a spirit squad to the list of athletic programs offered at Converse University. With these eight additions, Converse Athletics now offers 21 athletics programs. To read Bell's full bio
click here.
The 2023 Nike Executives of the Year:
NCAA Division I FBS: Julie Cromer, Director of Athletics, Ohio University
NCAA Division I FCS: Lisa Archbald, Associate Commissioner for Compliance and Governance/SWA, Northeast Conference
NCAA Division I: Amanda Braun, Director of Athletics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
NCAA Division II: Jenn Bell, Director of Athletics, Converse University
NCAA Division III: Kristin Hughes, Director of Athletics, Smith College
Association/Organization: DeeDee Merritt, Director of Leadership Development, NCAA
NAIA/NJCAA/CC: Janet Eaton-Smith, Vice President of Athletics, Lourdes University
Nell Jackson: Cricket Lane, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
About the Nike Executive of the Year Award:
The Nike Executive of the Year Awards, formerly known as the Administrator of the Year Awards, is presented to Women Leaders in College Sports members for significant contributions made as a senior-level executive of intercollegiate athletics. This award recognizes administrative excellence in each division [NCAA Division I, FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA/NJCAA/Community College and Conference/Organization]. The Nike Executive of the Year Award in each division is presented in years which an individual is deserving of such recognition, typically annually.
- Be an active member of Women Leaders in College Sports;
- Be employed full-time as a senior-level athletics executive at the institution, national governing organization or conference listed at the time of nomination;
- Be committed to diversity and gender equity;
- Demonstrate commitment, cooperation, and allegiance in promoting excellence in intercollegiate athletics;
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mentoring of athletics administrative staff;
- Serve as a positive role model;
- Demonstrate leadership and vision in promoting women's athletics;
- Be committed to the education and welfare of student-athletes;
- Attend the Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention.
The Nike Executive of the Year honorees are recognized at the Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention in the year awarded where they are honored during the Executive of the Year Luncheon.
Selection:
The recipients of the Nike Executive of the Year Awards will be selected by the Women Leaders in College Sports Awards Committee and the final slate will be approved by the Women Leaders in College Sports Board of Directors.
About Women Leaders in College Sports:
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 4,300 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches and student-athletes.