The 3 Percent: Female Athletic Directors at Top-Tier Football Schools

Photo by: NC State Athletics

Debbie Yow, AD at NC State, is in her 19th year at the Bowl Championship Series level as an athletic director.



I asked Yow if she's surprised the percentage of women in her position is still so low. Yow cites the "inability of candidates to 'sell' the search committee on their leadership skills," adding, "People must believe you can manage in a visceral environment of celebrity football and men's basketball ... more 

Photo by: NC State Athletics

Debbie Yow, AD at NC State, is in her 19th year at the Bowl Championship Series level as an athletic director.



I asked Yow if she's surprised the percentage of women in her position is still so low. Yow cites the "inability of candidates to 'sell' the search committee on their leadership skills," adding, "People must believe you can manage in a visceral environment of celebrity football and men's basketball coaches…and that you can actually hire [those coaches], too, if the need arises."


Although she considers these "lesser" factors, Yow also thinks that women don't aggressively cultivate headhunters who could place them in the top spots, and she pointed to a "lack of mentoring, lack of aspiration to the role as a population," and focusing on the work/life balance ("no such thing for an AD in the traditional sense," she added).
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