Welcome to College AD’s second annual NEXT UP presented by adidas.
NEXT UP are senior level administrators, handpicked by some of the most respected athletic directors in the industry, who are believed to be ready to take the next step as athletic directors in their own right. Out of those nominated by our panel, we selected 13 NEXT UP recipients from across the country to represent this 2017’s class. The only limiting factor is that none of the nominees could have served as an AD previously, beyond an interim role.
Over the next four days, June 12th-15th, we are revealing this year’s honorees.
If you are attending the NACDA Conference in Orlando, we also encourage you to stop by Booth 607 and visit our friends from adidas. We’ll be partnering with them all week to recognize some worthwhile individuals and even give away a little swag.
Without further ado, here are the first three members of the 2017 class of NEXT UP presented by adidas.
STEPHANIE REMPE, TEXAS A&M
Deputy Director of Athletics
Career to Date: Washington (2008-2016); Oklahoma (2003-2008); UTEP (1998-2003); Arizona (1995-1998)
Strengths: Leadership, Project Management
Why is she NEXT UP?: “Stephanie Rempe has proven to be one of the top administrators in the country in leadership roles at Arizona, UTEP, Oklahoma, Washington and now as deputy athletics director here at Texas A&M.” That endorsement by Texas A&M Athletic Director Scott Woodward really sums up what has been an exemplary career to date for Rempe. Very few people can boast successful leadership of individual teams, capital projects, and department units at multiple universities. It’s not as though Rempe jumps around a lot. Her last two stops as a senior level administrator lasted a minimum of five years each. She’s demonstrated a clear drive that has elevated each stop in her journey, and as Woodward points out, that drive comes from a deeply rooted commitment to her student-athletes. “A four-year letter winner as a student-athlete at Arizona, the well-being of the student-athlete has always been at the forefront of every decision throughout her career in collegiate athletics administration.”
MARVIN LEWIS, GEORGIA TECH
Associate AD/Finance & Administration
Career to Date: Maryland (2012-2014); Georgia State (2008-2012)
Strengths: Finance, Organizational Management
Why is he NEXT UP?: While not a requirement, there is a trend within NEXT UP of successful student athletes becoming successful administrators. Marvin Lewis is another great example of this. After a short but valuable stint in the private sector, Lewis reentered the world of college athletics by joining Georgia State and assisting with the monumental task of building a Division I football program from the ground up. At all three stops, Lewis has managed his departments’ budgets and overseen business operations, and now, after returning to his roots at Georgia Tech, Athletic Director Todd Stansbury feels like Lewis is ready to take the chair. “Marvin is a committed and passionate young professional who has successfully transferred the leadership skills developed as a student-athlete to being a leader in athletic administration and a valuable member of my executive team. As our CFO, his counsel, business acumen, and judgment are invaluable as we navigate the challenging landscape of intercollegiate athletics with innovative solutions. I can think of no one more deserving of the NextUp recognition.”
DAN BARTHOLOMAE, OREGON STATE
Deputy AD for Capital Projects and Internal Operations
Career to Date: Pittsburgh (2002-2017)
Strengths: Compliance, Strategic Planning
Why is he NEXT UP?: It may seem silly to name to NEXT UP a guy who hasn’t even settled into his new office at Oregon State, but as former Pitt and current Oregon State Athletic Director Scott Barnes points out, “Dan [Bartholomae] is a rising star in intercollegiate athletic administration.” Bartholomae’s previous 15 years at Pitt were a trek through internal operations, culminating in the development and implementation of a new department mission, vision, and five-year strategic plan. Now, Barnes has brought him along to Corvallis to work his strategic magic on the Beavers’ program, as well as lead the capital projects, events, administrative, and football operations groups. He also garners plenty of regard outside of his own department, having once served as the president of the National Association for Athletics Compliance, among other roles within the NCAA. “He brings what we all look for when strengthening our leadership teams; Integrity, intelligence , and energy,” says Barnes. “Dan is talented, has a strong collaborative leadership style and builds trust among those he works with”
You May Be Wondering About Our Selection Panel
Out of respect for them, we are keeping their names anonymous, but we’re more than happy to share a few details on what qualifies them to spot up-and-coming talent.
