McGowan Promoted in CSUB Athletics Leadership Role

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield Athletics announced that Stanzi McGowan has been named Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator, removing the interim designation from the leadership role she has held within the department.

Since joining the Roadrunners in 2022, McGowan has played a key role in strengthening the department's NCAA Division I compliance framework, supporting student-athlete success, and improving operational efficiency across the CSUB's 16 varsity sports.

"Promoting Stanzi to Associate AD for Internal Operations was an easy decision," Acting Director of Athletics Dr. Sarah Tuohy said. "She has an incredible passion for our student-athletes and a genuine investment in the success of CSUB and the Bakersfield community. Our coaches trust her, our staff respects her, and she has earned this every single day through her relentless work ethic. We are fortunate to have her in this role, and I can't wait to see what she continues to accomplish."

In her role, McGowan oversees internal operations areas including compliance, eligibility, financial aid and NIL, and roster management. She also provides leadership in policy development, strategic planning and risk mitigation while ensuring departmental alignment with university, conference, and NCAA regulations.

"It's truly a full-circle moment for me," said McGowan. "I grew up swimming in the CSUB pool, and those early experiences shaped my love for athletics and this community. To now help lead and serve the department is an honor, and I'm excited to continue investing in the success of our student-athletes and the bright future of CSUB Athletics."

Before being elevated to her current position, McGowan advanced through multiple roles at CSUB, including compliance specialist, director of compliance and assistant athletics director for compliance. Her work has reflected a strong commitment to integrity, collaboration, and precision in the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics administration.

Prior to arriving in Bakersfield, McGowan served as assistant director of athletics compliance at California Baptist University, where she helped support the department's transition to NCAA Division I. At CBU, she oversaw eligibility for more than 500 student-athletes, submitted legislative relief waivers and participated in cross-departmental committees focused on mental health and student-athlete engagement.

A decorated former student-athlete, McGowan was a 15-time Division I All-American swimmer at Tennessee, where she helped lead the Lady Volunteers to their first SEC championship in program history. She was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year, qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials and held a junior world record as a member of the USA Junior National Team.

McGowan earned a Master of Science in industrial-organizational psychology from California Baptist, where she was named the program's Outstanding Graduate in 2022. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in educational leadership and policy studies from Tennessee, where she graduated magna cum laude.

~GoRunners.com~

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McGowan Promoted in CSUB Athletics Leadership Role