Recently promoted to deputy director of athletics for external affairs by Wofford College Athletics Director Richard Johnson, current Senior Woman Administrator and former Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Elizabeth Rabb ’01 paused a moment when asked to consider the implications of being the first woman named to the post.
“I come to work from the perspective as an administrator, not as a female administrator,” says Rabb. “I was fortunate to be promoted to the position because I’m the right person for the job.”
Rabb joins colleague and current Deputy Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs Mark Line as part of a recent reorganization within the Department of Athletics, which includes the addition of Samuel Keenan as director of compliance. Brent Williamson, associate director of athletics for media relations, also assumes responsibility in the area of marketing and promotions.
“The reorganization will make the Department of Athletics more efficient and responsive to the needs of the campus as well as our outside constituents, including alumni, fans and the general public,” says Johnson.
In her new post, Rabb gains oversight for athletics staff in the areas of compliance, advancement and the Terrier Club, media relations, video services and ticketing, and she’s ready for the opportunity.
“Wofford athletics is fortunate to employ an exceptionally talented staff,” says Rabb. “My goal is to streamline external relations and help everyone contribute to the overall success of the college.”
Ironically, Rabb found Wofford in Tennessee. A first-year student at East Tennessee State University, Rabb’s family lived down the street from former ETSU and Wofford football coach Mike Ayers. “I grew up knowing Coach Ayers and watching ETSU’s [former basketball coach and athletic director] Les Robinson, one of Richard Johnson’s mentors, on the hard court. When I transferred to Wofford, it was like coming home,” says Rabb. A member of the Wofford cheerleading team as a student, Rabb’s first job in Wofford athletics was in football operations, followed by a series of positions in compliance. Rabb received her master of liberal arts from Converse College in 2008 and was named senior woman administrator in 2015.
“Wofford athletics is distinctive not only because we are the smallest institution that plays scholarship football in Division I, but also because we do athletics the right way by making sure our student-athletes have rigorous academic experiences and that they graduate from Wofford prepared for a successful future,” says Rabb. “That’s the vision of Athletics Director Richard Johnson and President Nayef Samhat, and I’m honored to help continue the tradition.”
By Annie S. Mitchell