KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Missouri-Kansas City has named Carla Wilson as the fourth Director of Athletics in the Division I era, made official on Monday, December 2 with a public announcement at the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City at 10:30 a.m. She held the position in an interim role the previous five months.
“I am honored, humbled, and extremely excited about this opportunity to serve as the Director of Athletics at UMKC," Wilson said. "The relationships I have built with Chancellor Morton, faculty, staff, alumni, coaches, student-athletes, and ‘Roo fans will be key in the next level of success for UMKC athletics.”
Wilson becomes the only female athletics director in the Western Athletic Conference, and the first ever female leader of intercollegiate athletics at UMKC. She is one of a few minority women serving as an athletics director at the NCAA’s 351 Division I institutions. Currently, less than 9 percent of Division I athletics directors are women; less than 4 percent are minority women.
“Carla is a nationally recognized leader in college athletics, and was an easy and natural choice for this position,” said Leo E. Morton, Chancellor of UMKC. “While we are promoting from within, we are also choosing the best candidate for this important position. Carla has the experience, the dedication and the vision to be an exemplary leader.”
Wilson took over as Interim Director of Athletics on July 1, 2013, and led the Athletics Department as it competed for the first time in the Western Athletic Conference. She over saw an exciting fall 2013 season – women’s soccer competed for the first time in school history for a conference championship, placing second. Both men’s and women’s cross country placed third in the WAC Championships, with Courtney Frerichs advancing to the NCAA National Championship and earning an All-American designation. Volleyball and men’s soccer also advanced to the conference tournament.
In her role as athletics director Wilson intends to lead the department with vision, integrity and transparency. The strategic plan for the athletics department will align with the mission of the University, and all members of the department will be involved in its development. Academic excellence, athletics excellence, campus and community engagement, and developing leaders will be paramount.
“I look forward to working closely with Chancellor Morton to enhance the profile of the University through Athletics,” said Wilson. “I will challenge our student-athletes and coaches to continue our high level of academic success and to focus on being highly competitive in all sports. Student-athletes will continue to be engaged on campus and in the community, with a primary focus on the youth. It will be the main focus of my job, along with our staff and coaches, to make sure that their educational and athletics experiences at UMKC will prepare them for their professional lives and produce proud alumni of tomorrow.”
Many of Wilson’s colleagues and mentors in the college athletics community were quick to praise her:
“Carla will do an outstanding job,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. “I am tremendously impressed by her insight, work ethic, thoughtfulness and grasp of the issues in intercollegiate athletics.”
“I have known Carla for many years and she is a leader that possesses enthusiasm, vision, hard work and tireless dedication to the student-athlete experience,” Vicky Chun, Director of Athletics at Colgate University said. “Her passion for the mission of UMKC is clear, and there are exciting times ahead.”
Congratulations to UMKC in the selection of Carla Wilson,” Joni Comstock, NCAA, Senior Vice President of Championships and Alliances said. “The university has identified a respected and talented executive who has made an impact on intercollegiate athletics and student- athletes throughout her career.”
Prior to the AD appointment, Wilson served as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Business and Administration and Senior Woman Administrator since 2007. Her leadership in the department has touched many facets – budget, human resources, facilities, sport administration and student-athlete welfare and development. She was directly responsible for the human resources and business operations of the department, as well as all day-to-day operations in the absence of the Director of Athletics, and served as a member of the Director of Athletics senior staff. Wilson was responsible for the preparation, development and maintenance of the budgets for all 16 sports and nine administrative areas of the department. She also served as the sport administrator for women's basketball, men's soccer, and men's and women's tennis.
Wilson has earned a reputation nationally as a respected and collaborative administrator. In 2012 she was named National Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA). Additionally, she graduated in 2010 from the NCAA Fellows Program and in 2009 from the NACWAA HERS East program.
Wilson is also recognized nationally through her extensive service to the profession. She currently serves on the NCAA Division I Softball Committee, serving as chair for 2013-14, and the NCAA Region V Post Graduate Scholarship Committee. Previously, Wilson has served on the Division I NCAA Men's and Women's Tennis Committee. A member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), Wilson serves on the Educational and Professional Development Committee and the Symposium Planning Committee. Wilson is also a frequent presenter at College Athletic Business Management Association (CABMA) Conventions, and serves on the Membership and Program committees for the organization. As a member of NACWAA, Wilson serves on the Nominating Committee, and most recently served on the Local Organizing Committee in a leadership role, as UMKC was a host institution for the 2012 NACWAA Convention held in Kansas City.
A 25-year career Kangaroo, Wilson spent 16 years in athletics and prior she served UMKC as a budget specialist in the University's administrative affairs office for four years, where she was responsible for assisting in the preparation of the University's $159 million budget. From 1988-93, she also served in the accounting department as a senior accountant.
Wilson graduated from UMKC in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She and her husband Kevin, who reside in Olathe, Kan., are parents to four adult children, Shae, Tristan, Kevin Jr., and Kaylan.
– 2013-14 Kansas City Athletics –