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Sandy Barbour discusses decision to retire as Penn State’s AD after 8 years
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After serving as Penn State’s athletic director for 8 years, Sandy Barbour has decided to step down from her post. She made the announcement official last week and spoke with reporters on Monday.
Barbour has spent the last 8 years at Penn State after serving as the athletic director at Cal from 2004-14. Prior to that, she’s had stops at Notre Dame, Northwestern and Tulane.
Barbour talked about the decision to retire on Monday, while speaking with the media:
Barbour in her opening statement: "I love Penn State, I have loved my eight years here. It's been an incredible journey and really an honor and privilege to serve this community and serve this university."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Barbour said she informed both Dr. Barron and Bendapudi of her retirement with ample time to find a replacement and she'll stick around for as long as needed.
"I'll be working my tail off until the last day."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Barbour said her retirement was not only the best time for her but also the best time for Penn State with a new university president coming in.
"I think Neeli Bendapudi is going to be fantastic for Penn State," she said.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
"[Bendapudi] gets it. She understands the power of athletics and what it can do for a campus, and I think she intends to leverage that to the max," Barbour added.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Barbour on how she wants to be remembered: "On behalf of Penn State it's having impact on students and their opportunities. It's rallying and gathering community, whether it's a campus community or it's our alumni."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Barbour added she wanted her legacy to include being a role model for women.
"I don't want to be a great female AD, I want to be a great AD," she said.
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
Barbour on what's next for her: "I said this is my last AD job and nothing has changed about that."
— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) March 21, 2022
In her time as the athletic director, Penn State has won 31 B1G championships and claimed 6 NCAA titles. Barbour has also led initiatives to renovate and upgrade the athletic facilities on Penn State’s campus.
“These last eight years have been the most incredible and satisfying of my career. The passion, the commitment and the purpose with which the Penn State community pursues excellence is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I am honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to serve Penn State students, coaches, faculty, staff and our incredible community,” said Barbour. “Thanks to Penn State, I’ve had the opportunity to develop amazing relationships, work with the best coaches and staff in all of college sports, and most importantly, been surrounded by the most remarkable student-athletes in the country. Penn State and the Happy Valley community have captured my heart and will always hold a treasured place.
“I owe a special thank you to President Barron for the invitation to join the Penn State community in 2014, and for his partnership, counsel and friendship over our time together,” added Barbour. “He has been a strong and determined leader and a constant advocate for the value and positive contribution of intercollegiate athletics at Penn State and in higher education.”
Penn State has announced it will conduct a national search to find Barbour’s replacement. She will officially retire in the summer.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB