University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Spencer Bridges Selected for NCAA Pathway Program
6/24/2026 2:04:00 PM | General
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Revenue Officer Spencer Bridges has been selected as one of 21 administrators across all three college divisions for the 2026-27 Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
"I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for the 2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program," Bridges said. "I am deeply grateful to the NCAA for this remarkable opportunity and for its unwavering commitment to developing leaders in collegiate athletics.
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"This program represents so much more than a professional milestone — it is a privilege I do not take for granted. I look forward to learning, growing alongside an incredible cohort, and contributing to the future of collegiate athletics in a meaningful way."
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The Pathway Program, led by NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in Divisions I, II, or III. It is designed to prepare administrators for executive-level leadership roles within intercollegiate athletics. The curriculum builds practical knowledge in budgeting, strategic planning, and fundraising to support both current responsibilities and future roles. The experience includes structured mentorship with senior leaders such as athletics directors, conference commissioners, and school presidents, providing personalized guidance and industry insight.
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The 2026-27 cohort is meeting June 21-25 for a weeklong education session in Indianapolis. Division I participants will reconvene in Indianapolis in October for additional development and governance meeting observation. The program will conclude in the summer of 2027 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in Orlando, Florida.
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2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program roster:
Rachel Acosta, associate athletic director for compliance/senior woman administrator, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Jeremy Armstrong, associate athletics director for marketing, Texas
Cory Blackson, assistant athletics director for compliance, Thomas More
Spencer Bridges, deputy athletics director/chief revenue officer, Southern Mississippi
Lauren Bryne-Dunn, associate commissioner/senior woman administrator, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Tatum Colitz, deputy athletics director/senior woman administrator, Seton Hall
Liz Dennison, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Hobart/William Smith
Jessica Goerke, deputy athletics director/chief operating officer/senior woman administrator, San Diego
Malcolm Grace, deputy athletics director for compliance and NCAA governance, George Mason
Rob Heil, senior associate athletics director for development, Kansas State
Alex Keddie, senior associate athletics director for compliance, East Carolina
Nancy Lake, associate athletics director for compliance, Elizabeth City State
Chevonne Mansfield, executive senior associate athletics director/senior woman administrator, Howard
Ron Moses, deputy athletics director for revenue growth and competitive excellence, Old Dominion
Merce Poindexter, senior associate athletics director for student-athlete welfare and compliance, Valparaiso
J.R. Pulido, senior associate athletics director for administration, University of the Incarnate Word
Ronda Varnesdeel, associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Davenport
Lisa Varytimidis-Cannon, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Maryland Eastern Shore
Derek Viveiros, assistant director of athletics and recreation, Bridgewater State
Crystal Westphal, senior associate athletics director/business operations, Central Missouri
Jolisa Williams, interim vice president for intercollegiate athletics and recreation, Bowie State
"I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for the 2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program," Bridges said. "I am deeply grateful to the NCAA for this remarkable opportunity and for its unwavering commitment to developing leaders in collegiate athletics.
Â
"This program represents so much more than a professional milestone — it is a privilege I do not take for granted. I look forward to learning, growing alongside an incredible cohort, and contributing to the future of collegiate athletics in a meaningful way."
Â
The Pathway Program, led by NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in Divisions I, II, or III. It is designed to prepare administrators for executive-level leadership roles within intercollegiate athletics. The curriculum builds practical knowledge in budgeting, strategic planning, and fundraising to support both current responsibilities and future roles. The experience includes structured mentorship with senior leaders such as athletics directors, conference commissioners, and school presidents, providing personalized guidance and industry insight.
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The 2026-27 cohort is meeting June 21-25 for a weeklong education session in Indianapolis. Division I participants will reconvene in Indianapolis in October for additional development and governance meeting observation. The program will conclude in the summer of 2027 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in Orlando, Florida.
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2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program roster:
Rachel Acosta, associate athletic director for compliance/senior woman administrator, Mary Hardin-Baylor
Jeremy Armstrong, associate athletics director for marketing, Texas
Cory Blackson, assistant athletics director for compliance, Thomas More
Spencer Bridges, deputy athletics director/chief revenue officer, Southern Mississippi
Lauren Bryne-Dunn, associate commissioner/senior woman administrator, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Tatum Colitz, deputy athletics director/senior woman administrator, Seton Hall
Liz Dennison, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Hobart/William Smith
Jessica Goerke, deputy athletics director/chief operating officer/senior woman administrator, San Diego
Malcolm Grace, deputy athletics director for compliance and NCAA governance, George Mason
Rob Heil, senior associate athletics director for development, Kansas State
Alex Keddie, senior associate athletics director for compliance, East Carolina
Nancy Lake, associate athletics director for compliance, Elizabeth City State
Chevonne Mansfield, executive senior associate athletics director/senior woman administrator, Howard
Ron Moses, deputy athletics director for revenue growth and competitive excellence, Old Dominion
Merce Poindexter, senior associate athletics director for student-athlete welfare and compliance, Valparaiso
J.R. Pulido, senior associate athletics director for administration, University of the Incarnate Word
Ronda Varnesdeel, associate director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Davenport
Lisa Varytimidis-Cannon, deputy director of athletics/senior woman administrator, Maryland Eastern Shore
Derek Viveiros, assistant director of athletics and recreation, Bridgewater State
Crystal Westphal, senior associate athletics director/business operations, Central Missouri
Jolisa Williams, interim vice president for intercollegiate athletics and recreation, Bowie State
Monday, June 01
Monday, June 01
Monday, June 01
Monday, June 01