Anderson, who is in her 29th year with the University of Rhode Island department of athletics, was promoted to her current position in 2003 after serving as associate director since 1992. Anderson is responsible for the coordination and supervision of a number of intercollegiate sports along with overseeing the sports medicine staff, academic advisors and athletic operations staff.
She was a member of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Committee from 1992-98 and served a committee chair from 1994-97. The Eastford, Conn. native has served on the NCAA Division I Strategic Planning Cabinet, Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Review Committee, Atlantic 10 Men’s and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Committee and has served as vice president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Executive Council. Anderson served on the Board of Directors of NACWAA and served as president of the Rhode Island Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women from 1999-2005. She is a member of URI’s Association for Professional and Academic Women and the President’s Commission on the Status of Women.
The Administrator of the Year Award is presented to NACWAA members for significant contributions made as an administrator of intercollegiate athletics. The award, recognizing administrative excellence, is presented annually. Criteria include a commitment to diversity and gender equity; a demonstrated cooperation and allegiance in promoting excellence in intercollegiate athletics; serving as a positive role model; demonstrated leadership and vision in promoting women’s athletics; and a commitment to the education and welfare of student-athletes.
Anderson has received numerous honors during her career. She has been inducted into three Halls of Fame including the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (2002), North Haven High School (1998) and New Agenda-Northeast Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee (1989).
She was named the University of Rhode Island, Association for Professional and Academic Women, “Woman of the Year” (2001) and received the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education & Recreation, Professional Service Award (1977) and the Southern Connecticut Multiple Sclerosis Society, Award for Outstanding Leadership in Women’s Athletics (1976).
In addition, she was named University of Rhode Island, Coach of the Year (1991), New England Division I, Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year (1990), New England Division I, Cross Country Coach of the Year (1987), National High School Athletic Coaches Association, Coach of the Year, Women’s Sports in District I (1976), Connecticut High School Coaches Association, Coach of the Year Award, Girls’ Track and Field (1975) and Connecticut Interscholastic Track Coaches Association, Coach of the Year (1972).