Green Bay's Mary Ellen Gillespie Appointed to NCAA DI Women's Basketball Committee

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Green Bay Director of Athletics Mary Ellen Gillespie has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee. Gillespie will begin her five-year term on the committee on Sept 1, 2015.

"It is an honor to be nominated by the Horizon League and to be approved for appointment by my peers to the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee," Gillespie said. "I'm extremely thankful for the support and encouragement from Chancellor Miller as I start this wonderful opportunity. I am excited to get started and look forward to working with the entire committee to ensure the best possible experience for student -athletes, coaches and fans."

In the midst of her second academic year at Green Bay, Gillespie will become the first administrator in the history of the Horizon League to serve on the selection committee.

"This is fantastic recognition for UW-Green Bay and Phoenix Athletics," UW-Green Bay Chancellor Gary L. Miller said, "and it's the strongest possible affirmation of Mary Ellen's leadership and her commitment to student athletes."

In her first year at Green Bay, Gillespie oversaw an athletics department which captured four Horizon League regular season championships and sent two programs (men’s tennis, softball) to the NCAA Tournament.

The Phoenix leader has also guided the athletics department through significant transition since being named the eighth Director of Athletics in school history back on Oct. 17, 2013. Gillespie has hired nine staff members and six head coaches.

In the fall of 2014, the athletics department posted its 30th consecutive semester with a student-athlete cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.

Known for its history of success in women’s basketball, Green Bay has won 16-straight regular season conference titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament 14 times. In 2014-15, the Phoenix is 20-4 overall and 10-1 in Horizon League heading into Thursday night’s home contest at 7 p.m. against Valparaiso.

**Release courtesy of Green Bay Athletic Communications.