BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – CSU Bakersfield Deputy Athletics Director Dena Freeman-Patton was recently selected to participate in the NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Executive Institute (EI). Freeman-Patton will head to the EI, July 17-20, set to be held in Kansas City, Mo.
The EI is an advanced professional development program for women in collegiate athletics administration. The program's mission is to provide an inspiring learning experience that teaches executive leadership solutions with the intention of advancing high-level women athletic administrators to executive positions including directors of athletics, conference commissioners, or executive directors/CEOs within the next two to four years.
Attendees are chosen through a comprehensive selection process and those who qualify are invited to apply. Candidates are selected based on recommendations from the Women Leaders Board of Directors, Women Leaders Education & Professional Development Committee, and graduates of past NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Executive Institutes, as well as strength of application materials. Freeman-Patton was chosen as one of just 13 participants for the EI in 2017.
NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Executive Institute graduates have experienced very high advancement rates within intercollegiate athletics. Of the twelve 2011 EI graduates, nine have either advanced or been promoted to senior-level positions. Five have become athletic directors (three at the Division I level), and one has become a senior-level administrator at the NCAA.
Freeman-Patton is wrapping up her fourth academic year at CSU Bakersfield. She serves on the executive team as the sports supervisor for men's soccer, women's basketball, men's and women's swimming and diving and softball
An advocate for student-athlete wellness, Freeman-Patton also oversees the Kegley Center for Student Success, sports medicine, strength and conditioning and the 'Runner Ready program. She also launched and oversees the first ever 'Runner Varsity Club.
In addition, Freeman-Patton has hired the first ever Runner Ready Program Coordinator and Tutor Coordinator. She also has made staff improvements in the areas of sports medicine and strength and conditioning. She oversees CSUB's first ever nutrition program and leads the efforts for a new drug-testing/education program.
Under her leadership, CSUB has enhanced all areas of academic support and development for student-athletes. Over the past two years CSUB Athletics increased its departmental GPA from 2.87 to 3.06. Freeman-Patton took over a program with six teams below the APR threshold and now boasts APR success with all teams in good standing.
CSUB has increased its student-athlete graduation success rate from 60% to 75% during Freeman-Patton's tenure. CSUB has continued to enhance the services provided to its student-athletes with the assistance of the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program. Freeman-Patton led the efforts to secure this $870,000 grant.
Freeman-Patton has nearly 20 years of athletic administration experience. Prior to CSUB, she 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 University (2002-2005) and the University of Maryland, College Park (2005-2007).
Freeman-Patton has recently been selected to the NCAA MOIC Committee and MOAA Board of Directors. She is 2011 graduate of the NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement, CALS attendee, and previously served on the Board of Directors for the N4A. Freeman-Patton also serves as an instructor on the Board of Advisors for the Emerging Administrators Academy.
