INDIANAPOLIS - CSU Bakersfield Deputy Athletics Director Dena Freeman-Patton has been appointed to the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC), a committee that reviews issues related to the interests of ethnic minority student-athletes, NCAA minority programs and NCAA policies that affect ethnic minorities. Her appointment begins Sept. 1.
"It is an honor to have Dena serve on the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee," CSU Bakersfield Athletics Director Kenneth Siegfried said. "I know Dena's passion and commitment for diversity and inclusion and I am confident she will be a great representative of not only CSU Bakersfield, but also the WAC. Dena's selection on MOIC fits perfectly with our commitment as a University and Athletics Department to being a leader in diversity and we have backed that statement up with the promotion of excellent and diverse staff within an organizational culture committed to excellence in all areas."
The MOIC consists of 18 members, including a current chancellor or president from each division. There are six members from Division I, six members from Division II and six members from Division III. One student-athlete from each division (who have one combined vote) serve as a member of the committee.
With 20 years of athletic administration experience, Freeman-Patton serves on the executive leadership team at CSUB and is the sport administrator for women's basketball, men's soccer, softball, and men's and women's swimming and diving. She also oversees all student services areas including the Kegley Center for Student Success, sports medicine, strength and conditioning and the ‘Runner Ready program. Freeman-Patton also launched and oversees the first-ever ‘Runner Varsity Club.
Prior to CSUB, Freeman-Patton served on the department's senior staff and was the sport supervisor for women's soccer at Georgia State University (2007-2013). She also held positions at North Carolina State (2002-2005) and Maryland (2005-2007).
Freeman-Patton is a NACWAA member and 2011 graduate of the NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement, CALS attendee, membership committee member for MOAA and previously served on the Board of Directors for the N4A. Freeman-Patton serves as an instructor and on the Board of Advisors for the Emerging Administrators Academy.
Freeman-Patton lettered in basketball at Liberty, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sports management in 1996. She added a master's degree in sports administration from Georgia State in 1999.