University of New Hampshire Director of Athletics Allison Rich has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Council, effective immediately. Rich’s term on the Council will continue through June 2026.
The Division I Council is the high-level group responsible for Division I’s day-to-day and long-term decision-making. Its members include athletics directors, administrators, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives, and student-athletes.
“I am honored to represent UNH and the America East on the NCAA Council.,” Rich said. “This is an important time for college athletics, and it is critical that our student-athletes are considered as we develop our collective path forward.”
Rich becomes the America East Conference’s representative on the Council, which has members from every Division I conference. She will also serve as a member of the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee, which has oversight responsibility of regular season and championships administration in sports other than football and men’s and women’s basketball.
“Allison is the perfect representative for the America East Conference during this unique time in college athletics,” said Brad Walker, Commissioner of the America East Conference. “Her leadership combined with her expertise in legislation and service on various NCAA committees, positions her to be a valuable member of the NCAA DI Council. “
As the UNH Director of Athletics, Rich guides a 20-sport NCAA Division I program focused on athletic and academic excellence, engagement, providing an outstanding student-athlete experience, and developing Wildcats for Life.
Rich has been instrumental in the fundraising efforts for the Wildcats, which saw a record-setting 248-percent increase of athletic-related donations and pledges to support capital projects, endowed scholarships, and program needs to provide the best possible student-athlete experience.
New Hampshire has excelled in both athletics and academics in the two years under Rich’s leadership. The ski team placed eighth at the NCAA Championships both years and the men’s soccer team also won an NCAA tournament game both years, earning its highest seed in the NCAA tournament at #8. Four teams – football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and swimming & diving – have won conference championships—as have several individuals.
Wildcats have been named conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in football and men’s soccer in back-to-back years, and UNH recorded is second-highest GPA in the history of the America East Academic Cup in the 2022-23 academic year.
