Three Universities That Have Appointed Women to Positions as Director of Athletics

Samantha Hegmann-Wary has been appointed interim athletic director at the University of Maine. She has been serving as associate athletic director for compliance and senior woman administrator. Hegmann-Way came to the university in 2019 from Hofstra University in New York, where she served for two years as assistant director of athletics for NCAA education and compliance services. From 2012–17, she was assistant athletics director for compliance at Monmouth University in New Jersey.

Hegmann-Wary holds a bachelor’s degree in health studies from Monmouth University and a master’s degree in physical education and sport management from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York.

Linda J. Bell is the new director of athletics at Dillard University in New Orleans. Since 2018, Dr. Bell had served as director of compliance and the senior women’s administrator at Fort Valley State University in Georgia. Prior to Fort Valley State, she served as assistant athletic director for compliance services and business operations at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Dr. Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Paul’s College in Virginia. She earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a doctorate in business administration in innovation and strategy from the University of the Southwest.

Tara Owens was appointed director of athletics at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She was the athletic director at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Earlier, she served as athletic director at Baltimore City Community College.

Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Virginia State University. She earned a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Cheyney University in Pennsylvania.