UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 36, Page 11
July 9, 1992
Hitchens named first woman president of NAC

     Mary Ann Hitchens, associate director of athletics, was elected
the first woman president of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) by
the board of directors at its annual meeting, held in Stowe, Vt., in
June.
     The NAC, which conducts championships in 10 men's and 10 women's
sports, includes of the universities of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Hartford and Delaware, plus Boston, Northeastern and Drexel
universities.
     A member of the University of Delaware staff since 1969, Hitchens
coordinates the College of Physical Education and Recreation's budget
administration and business appropriations, as well as overseeing
insurance, non-coaching personnel, administrative operations and drug
education.
     A 1967 Delaware graduate, she has chaired the NCAA Field Hockey
Committee and coached varsity basketball and field hockey at her alma
mater. She has chaired the University's Commission on the Status of
Women.
     "I'm honored to have been selected." Hitchens said. After serving
as vice president of the commission last year, she said she has a good
understanding of the president's responsibilities.
     Gary Strickler, director of athletics at Boston University,
serves as past president, and Stu Haskell, former director of
athletics at the University of Maine, remains the conference
commissioner.
     This stability in personnel assists the conference during its
operation in the transition period, said Hitchens.
     As president, she is responsible for conducting meetings of the
conference executive committee prior to the meeting of the full board
of directors. In addition, she is responsible for conducting board
meetings and making recommendations concerning items of business that
will be presented and considered.
     The issues may range from NCAA legislation on particular sports
and how it may affect the conference to approval of the annual budget.
     One area that will be looked at closely in the coming year,
Hitchens said, is short- and long-terms financial planning to enhance
revenue and minimize costs.
     Operating a conference and responding to the reports of its
various committees is an important responsibility, she said. She said
she is fortunate to have a dedicated group of officers and directors
and an efficient conference office staff.
     Her term as president will run until the next annual meeting, in
June 1993. At that time, she will stay on the conference
administration team as past president for one year.