From 2000-2004 Barbour was the deputy
sities in the nation; she's also a female athletic
culture she described as “the ultimate life les-
grams. In college football, the Power Five con-
when a decision had to be made, you knew what
Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I, the
biggest career break came in 2004 when she
States. Barbour is one of only five female ath-
U.C. Berkeley. During her decade-long tenure,
first female athletic director at Penn State. As a
most successful periods in the school's history,
“my primary challenge was that there were really
modernization and revenue growth. Despite all
I'm most proud of. I started at Tulane, then Cal,
she takes the most pride in are the students she
who came before me. But those who did, cer-
to be serious about your education at Berkeley.
are lots of women in collegiate athletics, in lots
students are terrific — working to change the
want to be known as a great athletic director, not
medals or national championships.” Students
cess will lead to opportunities for other women
what she refers to as her “why.” A devotee of
in a role that they aspire to, they will think 'I can
Barbour firmly believes that “Everything starts
erything — passion, enthusiasm, execution, the
with students, parents, coaches, administrators,
from understanding our purpose…for me it is
replete with bright spots. “I've been really fortu-
director of athletics at Notre Dame, a school
director at one of the nation's Power Five pro-
son in the power of a mission-driven institution;
ferences are athletic conferences in the Football
the decision would be based on our values.” Her
highest level of collegiate football in the United
was appointed athletic director of Pac-12 force
letic directors in the Power Five. She is also the
Barbour led Cal athletics through one of the
woman coming up in the industry, Barbour says
marked by championships, innovation, facility
no other women who I could follow. That's what
of the big-picture benchmarks for success, what
then Penn State ... there were very few women
worked with at Cal, “I love those kids. You have
tainly helped me to get where I am. Today there
It's the most rigorous place I've ever been. The
of positions and at lots of different levels. But I
world, to cure cancer, and to win Olympic gold
a great female athletic director. I hope my suc-
have always been at the heart of Barbour's work,
and girls…and that if they see someone like me
Simon Sinek's 2009 bestseller Start with Why,
do that too.'”
with 'Why?'…why do we do what we do? Ev-
a multitude of opportunities to flex her “why”
ability to make a difference, impact — all stems
and faculty. She feels lucky to have had a career
all about our student-athletes. Our vision is to
nate…there are hundreds of bright moments in
prepare students for a lifetime of impact. How
At Penn State Barbour has been afforded
my career. But they all revolve around witness-
ing or being a part of students having the light bulb go off and realize 'I can really do that! I can
make my dreams come true.'” Her own dreams of a life in athletics started with her father Henry, who instilled in her a powerful sense of purpose. “The advice from my dad was always 'find
something you love to do and pursue it. Don't just do a job.'” When she reflects back upon her
journey from the grassy fields of Severn School
to the sidelines of Beaver Stadium, it all gravitates back to her deep love of sport. “Look at sport today — all the ways in which it serves as
a bridge to a healing moment, a place of unity instead of separation, love instead of hate. Sport is really, really powerful. For young kids it's a
place to be a part of something bigger than you. Creating life lessons, bonds, friendships, finding commonalities in unlikely places. Sport is a
place where we learn that it doesn't matter what our differences are…we are a team with a goal in mind. If you can play, you can play.”
When she's not in Happy Valley, Penn.
watching the Nittany Lions play, you can also
find Sandy serving the U.S. Olympic movement, where she is one of eleven inaugural members of the United States Olympic Committee's Collegiate Advisory Council. The Council guides and
strengthens Olympic sport programming at the collegiate level.
do we contribute to that?”
With her 2014 appointment as the ath-
letic director at Big Ten powerhouse Penn State, some might say Barbour is positioned at the zenith of collegiate athletics. The enormity of the
role is not lost on her; despite the steadfast drive
and ambition that has marked her ascent, she admits “I don't know if I could have dreamt big
enough, that it would be Penn State.” With an athletics staff of over 300, Penn State supports
800 student athletes across 31 intercollegiate varsity programs and the athletics department
generated over $144 million in net revenues in 2016-17. But Barbour is more than just an ath-
" LO O K AT S P O R T T O D AY — A L L T H E W AY S I N W H I C H IT SERVES AS A BRIDGE T O A H E A L I N G M O M E N T, A P L AC E O F U N I T Y I N S T E A D O F S E PA R AT I O N , LO V E I N S T E A D O F H AT E ." — S A N DY B A R B O U R ' 7 7
letic director at one of the largest public univer-
Carrie MacVean Grimes '91, 46
THE BRIDGE
Sandy Barbour '77, Shannon Howell