UC Santa Barbara director of athletics Kelly Barsky is taking a leadership role on the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, appointed as the Vice Chair after a vote by the NCAA Council Coordination Committee. The term as vice chair of the WBOC began on August 1.
"I am honored to be selected as the vice chair of the Women's Basketball Oversight Committee,” Barsky said. “This sport has been a huge part of my journey in collegiate athletics and I am excited to continue to serve and support the growth and evolution of women’s basketball.” "
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 leadership appointment marks a momentous time 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 can boast a true recognition of leadership on the national stage within NCAA basketball.
“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. “I am thrilled by Kelly’s appointment as WBOC vice chair and I know that she will continue to foster the growth of the sport of women’s college basketball through the committee’s work.”
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.