A Milestone Appointment for Women in Collegiate Athletics

Judy MacLeod was named the commissioner of Conference USA, an athletic conference with member institutions stretching from West Virginia to Texas. MacLeod is the first woman commissioner of a conference that fields teams from universities competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Football Bowl Subdivision.

MacLeod joined the staff at Conference USA in 2005. Since 2006, she has served as executive associate commissioner and chief operating officer. Since September, MacLeod has been interim commissioner. Earlier in her career, she was director of athletics at the University of Tulsa.

“I feel very fortunate and appreciative of the confidence our member schools have placed in me to lead and serve the great group of universities in Conference USA,” MacLeod said. “We have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes and I look forward to facing the challenges and opportunities together with our members.”

McLeod is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where she majored in economics. She holds a master’s degree in athletics administration from the University of Tulsa.

The members of Conference USA are the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Louisiana Tech, Marshall University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of North Texas, Old Dominion University, Rice University, the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Alabama-Birmingham, University of Texas-El Paso, University of Texas-San Antonio, and Western Kentucky University.