Utah State Appoints Interim Athletic Director as Transition to Pac-12 Approaches
LOGAN (KSL.com) — Utah State University has appointed Sandy Barbour as the interim athletic director, a role announced by interim president Alan Smith. Barbour, a former athletic director at Penn State, will officially start her duties on Monday. This transition comes as the school prepares for its upcoming move to the revamped Pac-12 Conference.
Barbour will also co-chair an ad hoc advisory group alongside renowned alumnus Doug Fiefia, the state senator for District 48. This group, which includes a blend of internal and external stakeholders, aims to provide recommendations for the next permanent athletic director at Utah State.
Barbour succeeds Diana Sabau, who is leaving to take a position at the University of Maryland. With over 40 years of experience in collegiate athletics, Barbour has a track record that includes leading Penn State to national championships, overseeing major facility upgrades, and fostering the development of name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies in college sports. Recognized as the Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year in 2022, she has served as a senior advisor for athletic strategy and business continuity.
President Smith highlighted Barbour’s extensive expertise in various aspects of Division I athletics, emphasizing her capability to assist Utah State during this critical transition. The advisory committee, which includes athletes, alumni, and community leaders, will be tasked with defining essential qualifications for the new athletic director, facilitating engagement with university constituents, and ensuring that Utah State is "Pac-12 ready" by July 1, 2026. Recommendations from this committee are expected by early August, aligning with the timeline for launching a search for a permanent athletic director.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
