Tamica Smith Jones Named Women Leaders In College Sports 2017 Division I Administrator Of The Year
8/17/2017 8:12:00 AM | General
Kansas City, MO—Women Leaders In College Sports announced yesterday that UC Riverside Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tamica Smith Jones is the 2017 recipient of the Division I Administrator of the Year Award.
She will be honored Tuesday, October 10 at the Jostens Administrator of the Year and Award of Distinction Luncheon at the 2017 Women Leaders National Convention in Dallas, Texas, which will be emceed by Beth Mowins, play-by-play announcer and sports journalist for ESPN and CBS.
"It's humbling and such an honor to be recognized by my peers," said Smith Jones. "So many have supported, mentored and championed me over the years. It's been a blessing beyond measure to serve student athletes as an illustration of hope, and provide a point of access to higher education through collegiate sports. I take pride in my commitment to excellence, and my journey has afforded me the opportunity to work with some of the brightest, most well-rounded and creative minds across the country. Â
"You don't get these recognitions without a lot of good people surrounding you and believing in your visionary leadership. With that, this award is also a recognition of the great work that our entire team does on behalf of UC Riverside student athletes. I am very thankful to Chancellor Kim and the entire Highlanders family of coaches, administrators, faculty, staff, student athletes, alumni and our Riverside community who tirelessly toil in an effort to build a championship Division I culture. I am also very grateful to every person over my 20 year collegiate career who has ever deposited into my life and especially those who have given me a seat at the table to listen, learn, grow and contribute as an authentic and transformational leader."
"Tamica is a true champion for UC Riverside and our student-athletes" added UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox. "I'm so pleased that she is getting the recognition she greatly deserves."
Nominated by her peers and selected by the Women Leaders Awards Committee for her service during 2016-2017, Smith Jones is one of eight administrators being honored at the luncheon.
   DI-FBS: Nona Richardson, University of Utah, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Services / Senior Woman Administrator
   DI-FCS: Grace Calhoun, University of Pennsylvania, Director of Athletics and Recreation
   DI: Tamica Smith Jones, UC Riverside, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
   DII: Carmen Leeds, Emporia State University, Senior Associate Athletic Director / Internal Operations / Senior Woman Administrator
   DIII: Deb Steward, William Smith College, Director of Athletics
   NAIA/NJCAA: Chesney Sallee, NAIA National Office, Director of Membership Services
   Conference/Organization: Kris Pierce, Atlantic Coast Conference, Senior Associate Commissioner for Championships / Senior Woman Administrator
   Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year: Jill Redmond, Atlantic 10 Conference, Associate Commissioner
During Smith Jones' two years at the helm of the Highlanders, they have won conference championships in Women's Basketball, Men's Golf and Women's Golf, and celebrated their first national champion at the Division I level in Track & Field student-athlete Vest Bell (Indoor Weight Throw).
UC Riverside also recently launched a fundraising initiative as part of the UCR 2020 campaign, to upgrade its locker room facilities into an all-encompassing "Bear's Den" which will include team meeting rooms, and a nutrition bar.
"Women Leaders in College Sports is thrilled to celebrate and honor these extraordinary women who are champions for their student-athletes, colleagues, institutions, and conferences," says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. "Their commitment to intercollegiate athletics and the advancement of women in our profession is inspiring and truly remarkable, and we look forward to honoring them for their outstanding service and leadership in Dallas."
What others are saying about Tamica Smith Jones
Dr. Joseph H. Silver, Sr. President Silver & Associates
"Dr. Tamica S. Jones is a trailblazer in many ways. Yet, she is very humble and willing to share here expertise and knowledge. Dr. Jones has been very focused and intentional in her personal, professional and spiritual life. She has been a champion of athletics while never losing sight on the primary purpose of young men and young women attending colleges and universities; to get an education. Therefore, she has been extremely clear of the concept of 'student athlete.' They are students who happen to play a sport but her concern has always been for the total student. She is adamant about having a quality program within the scope of policy and integrity. I am proud to be one of her several mentors. I am even more proud that her peers have singled her out for this very special award, 'Women Leaders in College Sports 2017 Division I Administrator of the Year.' Dr. Jones is very deserving of this great honor!Â
Monique A. J. Smith Owner, Seeds of Empowerment, LLC
"Congratulations Tamica! I remember your talk on "Branding" at one of the Women Leaders in College Sports Conventions and then a few years later on my podcast "A Chat in the Garden" you said I will be an Athletic Director at a Division I Mid Major Institution. Â I said all of that to say, you are the "Real Deal" because you do Walk the Talk. You are that what you preach about, A Phenomenal Person who happens to have a great Position that Impacts many."
LaKita Gantz Director of Operations, Men's Basketball, Eastern Michigan University
"Coach Tam as I affectionately call her to this day, has been my rock, my backbone and my inspiration of hope for what I could become myself. From the moment I met Dr. Jones, she instilled a special kind of CARE (character, accountability, responsibility and effort) in me that I needed to grow. I am thankful that God allowed me to borrow one of his special angels on earth. And to this day, she is still doing his work and I am forever grateful!"
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She will be honored Tuesday, October 10 at the Jostens Administrator of the Year and Award of Distinction Luncheon at the 2017 Women Leaders National Convention in Dallas, Texas, which will be emceed by Beth Mowins, play-by-play announcer and sports journalist for ESPN and CBS.
"It's humbling and such an honor to be recognized by my peers," said Smith Jones. "So many have supported, mentored and championed me over the years. It's been a blessing beyond measure to serve student athletes as an illustration of hope, and provide a point of access to higher education through collegiate sports. I take pride in my commitment to excellence, and my journey has afforded me the opportunity to work with some of the brightest, most well-rounded and creative minds across the country. Â
"You don't get these recognitions without a lot of good people surrounding you and believing in your visionary leadership. With that, this award is also a recognition of the great work that our entire team does on behalf of UC Riverside student athletes. I am very thankful to Chancellor Kim and the entire Highlanders family of coaches, administrators, faculty, staff, student athletes, alumni and our Riverside community who tirelessly toil in an effort to build a championship Division I culture. I am also very grateful to every person over my 20 year collegiate career who has ever deposited into my life and especially those who have given me a seat at the table to listen, learn, grow and contribute as an authentic and transformational leader."
"Tamica is a true champion for UC Riverside and our student-athletes" added UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox. "I'm so pleased that she is getting the recognition she greatly deserves."
Nominated by her peers and selected by the Women Leaders Awards Committee for her service during 2016-2017, Smith Jones is one of eight administrators being honored at the luncheon.
   DI-FBS: Nona Richardson, University of Utah, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Services / Senior Woman Administrator
   DI-FCS: Grace Calhoun, University of Pennsylvania, Director of Athletics and Recreation
   DI: Tamica Smith Jones, UC Riverside, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
   DII: Carmen Leeds, Emporia State University, Senior Associate Athletic Director / Internal Operations / Senior Woman Administrator
   DIII: Deb Steward, William Smith College, Director of Athletics
   NAIA/NJCAA: Chesney Sallee, NAIA National Office, Director of Membership Services
   Conference/Organization: Kris Pierce, Atlantic Coast Conference, Senior Associate Commissioner for Championships / Senior Woman Administrator
   Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year: Jill Redmond, Atlantic 10 Conference, Associate Commissioner
During Smith Jones' two years at the helm of the Highlanders, they have won conference championships in Women's Basketball, Men's Golf and Women's Golf, and celebrated their first national champion at the Division I level in Track & Field student-athlete Vest Bell (Indoor Weight Throw).
UC Riverside also recently launched a fundraising initiative as part of the UCR 2020 campaign, to upgrade its locker room facilities into an all-encompassing "Bear's Den" which will include team meeting rooms, and a nutrition bar.
"Women Leaders in College Sports is thrilled to celebrate and honor these extraordinary women who are champions for their student-athletes, colleagues, institutions, and conferences," says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. "Their commitment to intercollegiate athletics and the advancement of women in our profession is inspiring and truly remarkable, and we look forward to honoring them for their outstanding service and leadership in Dallas."
What others are saying about Tamica Smith Jones
Dr. Joseph H. Silver, Sr. President Silver & Associates
"Dr. Tamica S. Jones is a trailblazer in many ways. Yet, she is very humble and willing to share here expertise and knowledge. Dr. Jones has been very focused and intentional in her personal, professional and spiritual life. She has been a champion of athletics while never losing sight on the primary purpose of young men and young women attending colleges and universities; to get an education. Therefore, she has been extremely clear of the concept of 'student athlete.' They are students who happen to play a sport but her concern has always been for the total student. She is adamant about having a quality program within the scope of policy and integrity. I am proud to be one of her several mentors. I am even more proud that her peers have singled her out for this very special award, 'Women Leaders in College Sports 2017 Division I Administrator of the Year.' Dr. Jones is very deserving of this great honor!Â
Monique A. J. Smith Owner, Seeds of Empowerment, LLC
"Congratulations Tamica! I remember your talk on "Branding" at one of the Women Leaders in College Sports Conventions and then a few years later on my podcast "A Chat in the Garden" you said I will be an Athletic Director at a Division I Mid Major Institution. Â I said all of that to say, you are the "Real Deal" because you do Walk the Talk. You are that what you preach about, A Phenomenal Person who happens to have a great Position that Impacts many."
LaKita Gantz Director of Operations, Men's Basketball, Eastern Michigan University
"Coach Tam as I affectionately call her to this day, has been my rock, my backbone and my inspiration of hope for what I could become myself. From the moment I met Dr. Jones, she instilled a special kind of CARE (character, accountability, responsibility and effort) in me that I needed to grow. I am thankful that God allowed me to borrow one of his special angels on earth. And to this day, she is still doing his work and I am forever grateful!"
Â
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