TicketsCINCINNATI—Cincinnati Athletics' Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) Maggie McKinley was recently named to the NCAA Division I Sports Oversight Committee, where she will help shape future rules and regulations for college athletics.
McKinley is one of 29 committee members, including conference commissioners, athletics directors and senior-level administrators.
"I'm honored to be a member of the Sports Oversight Committee," McKinley said. "I take this position very seriously, and I'm excited to represent Cincinnati and the Big 12 with a seat at the table for how college athletics will be shaped over the coming years."
The Sports Oversight Committee oversees nonacademic operational bylaws—such as recruiting rules and playing/practice seasons—for sports excluding football and men's and women's basketball. Its role is to ensure a positive intercollegiate experience for student-athletes while managing regular season and championship operations, including the qualification and selection processes for national championships. Additionally, the committee examines issues affecting various sports and offers policy or legislative recommendations in areas outside of autonomy governance. It also reviews proposals from individual sports committees, which report directly to the Sports Oversight Committee, and addresses other matters related to championship administration.
McKinley graduated from UC in 2000 and was a track and field athlete for the Bearcats. She now serves on the Director of Athletics' Executive Team and leads the department's internal affairs. Among her many responsibilities, she oversees compliance and administration, facilities, event management, and major projects.
On UC's campus, McKinley serves on the Capital Advisory Committee to maintain institutional health through reviewing and prioritizing the University's resources and investments and as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She is the department liaison to several units, including the Office of General Counsel and Student Affairs.
The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio native has received national, regional and local recognition for her leadership including the Women Leaders in Sports DI FBS Administrator of the Year, the American Council on Education Women's Network Ohio Excellence in Higher Education Leadership Award and the Cincinnati USA Women's Sports Association Mary Jo Huisman Administrator of the Year.
About Cincinnati Athletics:
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Four School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.48 GPA in the fall of 2024 with 83 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
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McKinley is one of 29 committee members, including conference commissioners, athletics directors and senior-level administrators.
"I'm honored to be a member of the Sports Oversight Committee," McKinley said. "I take this position very seriously, and I'm excited to represent Cincinnati and the Big 12 with a seat at the table for how college athletics will be shaped over the coming years."
The Sports Oversight Committee oversees nonacademic operational bylaws—such as recruiting rules and playing/practice seasons—for sports excluding football and men's and women's basketball. Its role is to ensure a positive intercollegiate experience for student-athletes while managing regular season and championship operations, including the qualification and selection processes for national championships. Additionally, the committee examines issues affecting various sports and offers policy or legislative recommendations in areas outside of autonomy governance. It also reviews proposals from individual sports committees, which report directly to the Sports Oversight Committee, and addresses other matters related to championship administration.
McKinley graduated from UC in 2000 and was a track and field athlete for the Bearcats. She now serves on the Director of Athletics' Executive Team and leads the department's internal affairs. Among her many responsibilities, she oversees compliance and administration, facilities, event management, and major projects.
On UC's campus, McKinley serves on the Capital Advisory Committee to maintain institutional health through reviewing and prioritizing the University's resources and investments and as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She is the department liaison to several units, including the Office of General Counsel and Student Affairs.
The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio native has received national, regional and local recognition for her leadership including the Women Leaders in Sports DI FBS Administrator of the Year, the American Council on Education Women's Network Ohio Excellence in Higher Education Leadership Award and the Cincinnati USA Women's Sports Association Mary Jo Huisman Administrator of the Year.
About Cincinnati Athletics:
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles. The Cincinnati men's basketball team is among the 15 winningest programs all-time, while the football team became the first non-Power Five program to compete in the College Football Playoff in 2021. Olympic gold medalist volleyball player Jordan Thompson, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Major League Baseball legend Sandy Koufax are among the several luminaries who have competed as Bearcats.
In 2023, the Bearcats entered a new era as a Power Four School when they officially joined the Big 12 Conference, positioning Cincinnati among the nation's premier athletics programs.
Off the field, UC student-athletes continue to find success, as well, collectively posting a 3.48 GPA in the fall of 2024 with 83 percent earning spots on the Honor Roll.
Under the leadership of Director of Athletics John Cunningham, and supported by more than 150 full-time staff members, UC Athletics' mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
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