PROVIDENCE, R.I. – American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco announced today that Barbara Jacobs, American Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball, will retire following the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. Jacobs has been a member of the conference staff since 1995.
Jacobs, who oversees all aspects of The American’s women’s basketball operations, including the conference’s highly successful basketball championship, was promoted to her current position in 2014. As associate commissioner for women’s basketball, she manages television scheduling, officiating, branding and messaging. Each year, The American tournament, which she oversees, has been one of the highest attended women’s basketball championships.
“I first want to congratulate Barbara on a wonderful and varied career,” Aresco said. “As both a highly respected coach and then administrator, she has been a tireless advocate for women’s basketball both nationally and in our league. Her extraordinary contributions to the game have been numerous and significant throughout the years. I know I speak for all of the coaches, student-athletes and administrators in The American when I thank her for a job well done as our associate commissioner for women’s basketball. Her efforts have strengthened our women’s basketball and made an impact on the strategic direction of women’s basketball nationally. We all join in conveying our best wishes for a happy and healthy retirement.”
Jacobs served as the secretary/rules editor for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee from 1998-2006 and was the tournament manager for the 2004 NCAA East Regional. She was named Vice President of the CCA coordinators of officials from 1997-99 and was president from 1999-2001. Currently, Jacobs serves as a member of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Competition Committee.
Jacobs was head women’s basketball coach at Syracuse University for 15 seasons from 1978-93, guiding the Orange to the 1985 Big East crown, and was named the league’s coach of the year in 1988. She was inducted into the Syracuse Orange Plus Hall of Fame in 1990 and to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
She began her coaching career at Hartwick College, where she served as the school’s women’s basketball, field hockey and men’s tennis coach. During her eight-year tenure there, Jacobs also served as the coordinator of women’s athletics and was a tenured professor of physical education. She also was an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1994-95.