Sept. 11, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Atlantic 10 commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade today announced the hiring of Debbie Richardson as associate commissioner for business and internal operations.

"Debbie brings a wealth of experience and skills to the Atlantic 10. I look forward to her joining our team," states McGlade.

Richardson's responsibilities at the A-10 will include overseeing the business and finance department, human resources and auxiliary services, as well as overseeing A-10 Championship operations. In addition, she will serve as the Conference's Senior Woman Administrator.

Richardson joins the Conference after spending the past ten years as the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Campbell University, where she oversaw sport management and the daily internal operation of the athletic department's twenty varsity programs, including budget management, policy development and personnel. Moreover, Richardson helped oversee the school's NCAA recertification process in 2000-01; sat on the university's Southern Association of Colleges and Universities Accreditation Committee; was the tournament director for Atlantic Sun championship events in men's & women's cross country, men's & women's soccer, and men's & women's golf; and played an instrumental role in Campbell successfully hosting 11 Atlantic Sun championships.

She currently serves on the NCAA Legislative Council and has previously served on the NCAA Management Council and the Legislative Review Subcommittee; the NCAA Championships and Competition Cabinet; was chair of the NCAA Nominating Sub-Committee and a member of the Administrative Committee; chaired the NCAA Travel Subcommittee; and was the NCAA Division I Sports Committee Liaison for women's soccer.

Richardson served on the Membership & Finance Committees, Marketing Committee and was also the Secretary of the Atlantic Sun Executive Committee. Additionally, Richardson was the Administrator/Liaison for women's basketball for five years and chair of the Sports Policy Committee (four years) and the Atlantic Sun Tournament Committee (twice).

In 2005, Richardson was the recipient of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) Administrator of the Year Award for her excellence in athletic administration. The award is presented annually to an administrator, athletic director, associate or assistant athletic director who has excelled at encouraging the growth and quality of women's basketball programs and women's athletic programs overall. The candidate must also have served as a professional role model for student-athletes.

Richardson entered the coaching ranks in 1979 as an assistant women's basketball coach at North Carolina. She joined the staff at Georgia Tech in 1981 and was responsible for scouting and game-day management duties, while also serving as an academic liaison for the Lady Jackets. Richardson was named the head coach at East Tennessee State in 1986 and held the position until 1994, when she returned to Georgia Tech as an assistant coach.

The 1993 Southern Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year, Richardson's ETSU teams succeeded on both the court and in the classroom. During her tenure, Richardson's teams compiled a 97 percent graduation rate. In addition to her head coaching duties at East Tennessee State, she served as the athletic department's Senior Woman Administrator. Richardson sat on the Southern Conference Women's Basketball Coaches Committee as well as the Women's Basketball Tournament and Officiating committees. She also was the Administrator/Liaison for Cross Country and Track and Field.

A 1979 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor's of science in psychology and physical education, Richardson earned three varsity letters and served as team captain of the women's basketball team in 1978-79. A native of Sparta, N.C., Richardson has been active in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as well as community service organizations such as the Atlanta Women's Network, American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Clubs and the Girl Scouts.