UTSA has named a new athletic director, replacing Lynn Hickey who stepped down in September.
University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) President Taylor Eighmy today announced the selection of Lisa Campos, current Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Northern Arizona University (NAU), as UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director.
“As we shape UTSA into an exemplary urban serving discovery enterprise, it is crucial that our athletic program has a leader who knows how to harness and build on the energy that collegiate athletics brings to San Antonio,” said Eighmy. “Lisa Campos is that leader. By all measures, she is a true rising star and her energy, enthusiasm, vision and acumen are exactly what we need to build on our excellent foundations in athletics and move the program downfield.”
Eighmy cited Campos’ strategic approach to continuous improvement at NAU, including creatively using all available resources to increase ticket sales, donations and sponsorships, as a key factor in her selection.
Campos has led the NAU Lumberjacks’ athletic department since 2012. During her time in Flagstaff, NAU captured 32 Big Sky and Western Athletic Conference championships and nine teams advanced to NCAA postseason competition, including the first NCAA Division I Championship in school history by the men’s cross country team in 2016.
Under her leadership, the Lumberjacks collected two Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup trophies for overall excellence in competition and in the classroom. The Lumberjacks’ athletic achievements led to the men’s programs winning the Big Sky All-Sports Trophy four consecutive times from 2014-17. The women’s teams captured the trophy in 2014 and 2017.
When Campos was named Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at NAU, she became one of 26 females and the youngest in the country to lead a Division I program at the time of her hire. She currently sits on the prestigious NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee, a subcommittee of the new governance model.
“My family and I are so excited to join the Roadrunner family and the San Antonio community. UTSA is a remarkable institution and I look forward to working with President Eighmy,” said Campos. “As a Hispanic, first-generation college graduate, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work at an institution that aligns with my values. I look forward to serving the student-athletes, coaches and staff as we work together to continue building UTSA Athletics.”
“President Eighmy and UTSA have made an exceptional hire in Dr. Lisa Campos. She is truly one of the rising stars in college athletics,” said Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod. “As she focuses on the student-athlete experience and how it aligns with UTSA’s mission, Lisa’s positive impact will be beneficial not only for athletics, but for the entire university and the San Antonio community. We couldn’t be happier for Lisa, her family and UTSA, and we’re excited to welcome her back to Conference USA.”
She and her husband, Darren D’Attilio, have a three-year-old son, Christopher.