Utah State University Hires Sandy Barbour as Interim Athletic Director Amid Transition
LOGAN, UT — Utah State University (USU) has appointed Sandy Barbour as its interim athletic director effective July 18, 2025, marking the third leadership change in the athletics department in just three years. Barbour, who previously served as the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State, brings a wealth of experience from her tenure in various prominent athletic programs, including at Cal, Notre Dame, Tulane, and Northwestern.
Barbour’s retirement from Penn State in 2022 followed an eight-year period marked by significant achievements in Division I athletics. Since then, she has been involved with Huron, a consulting firm specializing in advising educational institutions on athletic matters. In this new role, she will support USU during its critical transition into the Pac-12 Conference, a leap that necessitates strong leadership and strategic foresight.
“Barbour and the team at Huron provide valuable expertise in areas vital for success, including recruitment, marketing, and facilities management,” stated Alan Smith, the interim president of USU. His emphasis on stability in leadership comes after the departure of former athletic director Diana Sabau, who left for a position at the University of Maryland amidst ongoing litigation related to wrongful terminations involving the prior interim director and head football coach.
With a void in both athletic and presidential leadership—following the exit of President Elizabeth Cantwell—Smith highlighted the urgency in maintaining USU’s competitive edge as they prepare for their inaugural season in the Pac-12. “It is crucial to modernize operations and fortify our financial viability for our student-athletes while pursuing a transformative leader for USU Athletics,” he said.
A national search for a permanent athletic director is expected to commence in August, further shaping the future of USU’s athletics program.
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