University of North Carolina Athletics
Cricket Lane Named Nell Jackson Nike Executive of the Year
August 15, 2023 | General
Kansas City, Mo.— Women Leaders in College Sports (Women Leaders) announced today its 2023 award recipients. The honors include the Nike Lifetime Achievement Awards, Nike Executives of the Year, and Herff Jones Rising Executive Awards.
Women Leaders is committed to recognizing the achievements and successes of women working in sports. Celebrating these accomplishments is an integral piece of advancing women in sports.
Cricket Lane serves as UNC's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. She has been working with student-athletes for over 25 years.
Lane started at UNC in August 2003 as Director of Student-Athlete Development, where she started UNC's Life Skill Program. In her time, she has expanded the enrichment programs to include all current and any former student-athletes interested in career services, community service, and wellness. She is a facilitator in the Carolina Leadership Academy for first-year student-athletes and has sport supervision of Rowing and Track and Field programs at UNC.
"We are thrilled to celebrate this group of outstanding women who are blazing trails in the sports industry," says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. "These women are the definition of leaders and innovators. They are highly deserving of their awards, and we can't wait to honor them in New Orleans."
These recipients will be recognized at the Women Leaders National Convention held in New Orleans from October 8-10th. Learn more about the Women Leaders' annual awards here. A special thanks to our partners, Nike: the presenting sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement and Executive of the Year Awards, and Herff Jones: the official award provider of Women Leaders in College Sports.
Nominated by their peers and selected by the Women Leaders Awards Committee for their service during 2022-2023, the award recipients are:
Nike Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:
- Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Jean Cerra, Former Dean of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences, Barry University
- Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Jean Lenti Ponsetto, Former Director of Athletics, DePaul University
- Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Cathie Schweitzer, Former Director of Athletics, Springfield College
- Nike Lifetime Achievement Award: Delores "Dee" Todd, Former Assistant Commissioner, Atlantic Coast Conference
Nike Executive of the Year Award Recipients:
- Nell Jackson Nike Executive of the Year: Cricket Lane, Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- NCAA Division I FBS Nike Executive of the Year: Julie Cromer, Director of Athletics, Ohio University
- NCAA Division I FCS Nike Executive of the Year: Lisa Archbald, Associate Commissioner for Compliance and Governance/SWA, Northeast Conference
- NCAA Division I Nike Executive of the Year: Amanda Braun, Director of Athletics, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
- NCAA Division II Nike Executive of the Year: Jennifer Bell, Director of Athletics, Converse University
- NCAA Division III Nike Executive of the Year: Kristin Hughes, Director of Athletics, Smith College
- Association/Organization Nike Executive of the Year: DeeDee Merritt, Director of Leadership Development, NCAA
- NAIA Executive of the Year: Janet Eaton-Smith, Vice President of Athletics, Lourdes University
Rising Executive Award Recipients:
- Rising Star Award: Christine "C.C" Colwell, Assistant Director of Enforcement, NCAA
- Promising Professional Award: Jana' Boyd, Assistant Director for Creative Services & Digital Content, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
- Commitment Award: Jashell Mitchell, Chief of Staff for Football Operations, Jackson State University
