Sandy Barbour Discusses Legacy, Penn State Tenure Forward Of Retirement

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Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour met with the media Monday for the primary time since asserting her plans to retire and finish her eight-year stint with the college.

Her determination to retire could have stunned some, however it’s one thing Barbour had thought of since Penn State’s Outback Bowl look in January. Lacking an opportunity to see her household over the vacations — maybe because of the bowl sport and seek for Penn State’s subsequent girls’s volleyball coach — sparked some ideas about retirement.

“I went and spent a while with my household in late January, and that actually began my thoughts pondering,” Barbour stated. “As I assessed the place I used to be and began desirous about it when it comes to the intersection with the place Penn State was, and particularly, our presidential transition, I made a decision that not solely was it the perfect determination for me and the best time for me, however that was in all probability a fairly good time for Penn State.”

Within the grand scheme of issues, Barbour didn’t spend the vast majority of the athletic director profession at Penn State. Wanting again on these eight years, although, she feels her experience with the Nittany Lions has been a very significant one.

“I really like Penn State,” she stated. “I’ve beloved my eight years right here. It’s been an unbelievable journey and actually an honor and privilege to serve this group and serve this college.”

Barbour additionally touched on her division’s Services Grasp Plan, mentioning that there have been loads of issues that couldn’t get finished. The COVID-19 pandemic, plus the monetary strains it positioned on the college, largely hindered Penn State’s progress on the 20-year undertaking that strives to renovate and improve athletic services throughout campus. Thus far, the Services Grasp Plan’s first part has largely remained untouched.

Nonetheless, Barbour takes delight within the work that was accomplished throughout her time main the division. She stated she’s notably keen on the locker room renovations within the Bryce Jordan Middle and the opening of the Morgan Tutorial Middle.

“I’ll at all times be very happy with the truth that the Morgan Tutorial Middle renovation was our first capital undertaking in my time right here,” she stated. “I feel it sends all the best messages. I feel it’s one thing I needed to do, however I don’t assume it’s an enormous piece, with the report set when it comes to the tutorial efficiency of our student-athletes.”

Barbour then mirrored on her legacy at Penn State and the way she needs to be remembered after her profession with the college involves a detailed. As the primary feminine athletic director at school historical past, Barbour hopes she helped pave the best way for ladies and younger girls in sports activities.

“Early on in my AD profession, I type of bristled at being a task mannequin for ladies and being the good feminine AD,” she stated. “I don’t wish to be the good feminine AD. I wish to be an ideal AD. I feel, over time, I’ve actually come round in that I can’t and don’t wish to run away from that as a result of I’ve the chance to sit down right here. As a result of I’ve the chance to sit down on this seat, there are women and younger girls which have the chance to say ‘I may be an AD.’ I’ve come to embrace that.”

Barbour moved on to talking about her post-retirement plans and confirmed that this shall be her final job as an athletic director. As soon as she retires, Barbour says she’s going to take a while off and spend another yr in Completely happy Valley earlier than shifting out west to be nearer to her household. Barbour additionally talked about that she would like to spend time with college students and train all through her retirement, too.

“I positively wish to train,” she stated. “I did somewhat little bit of instructing alongside the best way at some instances and actually loved it… I’d like to have the chance to get into the classroom and type of be a coach once more.”

With Barbour’s plans to retire, Penn State now finds itself in transition for maybe two of the most important jobs on campus. She made it clear that her determination to take a step again had nothing to do with the hiring of President-elect Neeli Bendapudi, who’ll lead Penn State beginning in Might.

“I feel that Neeli Bendapudi goes to be incredible for Penn State,” Barbour stated. “I’m actually trying ahead to watching what Penn State will do below Neeli’s management and what Penn State Athletics will do below Neeli’s management.”

Relating to hiring her substitute, Barbour says she’s in the end leaving that call to Bendapudi, though she’s going to present enter if requested.

As soon as Bendapudi takes over, she’ll assist oversee the way forward for Penn State Athletics subsequent to Barbour’s successor. Collectively, they’ll assist chart future renovations of Beaver Stadium or the potential for a model new stadium.

“The following steps [in the renovation] are to go to President-elect Bendapudi when she is the president and work out what we’re going to do shifting ahead,” she stated. “I don’t know if our followers are going to see something tangible within the quick future. In reality, I do know they’re not, however they’ll begin to hear about what the timeline for that could be.”

On the finish of the day, Barbour will quickly depart Penn State with a agency legacy, largely seen by teaching hires like Micah Shrewsberry or plans for the longer term, just like the college’s strong facility improve undertaking.

For her, although, she’ll hope to recollect Penn State by the individuals and the group who make Completely happy Valley so particular and endearing.

“I feel whoever takes over this program is admittedly going to be very lucky primarily based on the individuals they are going to be surrounded by,” she stated. “I can’t say sufficient about my teammates, different directors throughout campus, and the way supportive they’re of intercollegiate athletics…I’ll miss the individuals. I’ll miss 107,000 individuals in Beaver Stadium. I’ll miss a raucous Rec Corridor. I’ll miss the BJC when it has the correct quantity of individuals in it…I’ll miss student-athletes”

Frankie is a junior accounting and economics main from Lengthy Island, NY. You may in all probability acknowledge him as the everyday Italian-American with slicked again black hair. He’s an avid fan of the Rangers, Mets, Jets, and each Penn State Athletics staff. Comply with him on Twitter @frankiemarzano for obnoxious quantities of Penn State and Rangers content material or e mail him at [email protected]





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