UC Santa Barbara director of athletics Kelly Barsky's leadership role on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee is expanding. Barsky has been appointed as the committee Chair after a vote by the NCAA Council Coordination Committee. The term as chair of the WBOC began immediately.
"I'm humbled and honored to continue to serve on the women's basketball oversight committee and step into the chair role," Barsky said. "With deliberate decision making, collaborative engagement with women's basketball stakeholders, and strategic planning we've seen incredible growth. I look forward to the continued focus on these efforts and growth of the game."
Comprised of representatives from each divisional subgroup, the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Oversight Committee is responsible for ensuring that appropriate oversight of women's basketball is maintained while enhancing the development and public perception of the sport and for making recommendations related to regular season and postseason competition, including items such as playing rules and championship administration. The committee also prioritizes the enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience from both an academic and athletic perspective, and in doing so, promotes student-athletes' personal growth and leadership development.
Barsky's elevation to WBOC chair continues the momentous period of leadership for Big West basketball with commissioner Dan Butterly serving as the vice chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. With the league now holding two of the six Oversight Committee leadership spots, The Big West's footprint on the national stage within NCAA basketball continues to flourish.
“We are in an exciting era of growth and improvement of Big West women’s and men’s basketball, both on the court and in the national leadership landscape,” commissioner Butterly remarked. "The opportunity for Kelly to hold the position of WBOC chair is invaluable to our member-institutions and student-athletes. I am confident the sport of women's basketball will continue to grow through the committee's work under her guidance.”
Barsky rose to the AD chair for the Gauchos on Jan. 2, 2023, after serving in the interim role for a year. Having spent over a decade at UC Santa Barbara, Barsky held other positions in athletics and on campus including time on the women’s basketball coaching staff, as an academic advisor for the College of Letters and Science and as senior deputy athletic director and senior women administrator before taking the helm of the athletics department. Along with service on the Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, Barsky is The Big West representative on the Division I Council, where she has served since 2021.