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Saturday, August 01, 2009
Law - The New Director of the Ivy League has Indiana connections
From this story by Katie Thomas, dated July 31, in the NY Times:
PRINCETON — Like many leaders of athletic conferences, Robin Harris of the Ivy League is looking for new ways to promote athletes and their teams, as well as raise money in an economic recession. Harris, who took over as executive director on July 1, says she plans to redesign the Web site and look for new television partners to broadcast league championships.But at the Ivy League, a conference whose very name is more closely associated with academic excellence than athletic prowess, any change must strike a balance between promoting sports and maintaining the league’s scholarly reputation. Harris must find common ground among athletic directors, coaches and university presidents, who do not always agree on how to achieve that balance. * * *
Although she is new to her job, Harris is familiar with the role of mediator. “She has a lot of experience in working with contrary views and trying to find the most appropriate solutions,” said David Berst, the vice president for Division I at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, where Harris worked for nine years in a variety of roles. “She’s a problem solver.”
Harris, 44, said she was beginning the job at a time of relative stability. But a few issues are simmering — among them, whether wealthier institutions are gaining a competitive advantage by offering more financial aid, and if postseason play should be expanded in basketball and added in football.
Harris, who holds undergraduate and law degrees from Duke, has spent most of her career working in college athletics. She began working for the N.C.A.A. in 1993 and held a number of positions, including director of the Committee on Infractions and associate chief of staff for Division I.
In 2002, she joined the Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller. She advised universities on N.C.A.A. matters and defended them in infractions cases. She represented Indiana University in the case involving the former men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, who was accused of committing several major N.C.A.A. violations during his time at the university.
She replaces Jeff Orleans, who retired. He became the first full-time director of the Ivy League in 1984.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 1, 2009 11:46 AM
Posted to General Law Related