General 6/20/2024 10:00:00 AM

Lisa Liotta Appointed to NCAA Division I Council

Canisius University Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Lisa Liotta has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Council, effective immediately. Liotta's term on the Council will continue through June 2026.

Liotta will serve as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference's (MAAC) representative on the Council, which has members from every Division I conference. The NCAA Board of Directors appoints each member of the 40-person Division I Council. The Council is a high-level group responsible for Division I's day-to-day decision-making, and its members include athletics directors, administrators, Senior Woman Administrators, faculty athletics representatives, and student-athletes.

"I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next Division I Council representative for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference," Liotta said. "Thank you to MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci and Canisius Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Maher for the opportunity to represent our student-athletes, coaches and institutions during this critical time within the national landscape of Division I athletics."

Liotta will serve on the Council's Strategic Vision and Planning Committee. The Strategic Vision and Planning Committee has oversight responsibility of administrative functions related to the management of the Division I governance structure, including business and legal affairs, strategic planning and research (including recommendations regarding research topics and expenditure of funds for such projects), Division I membership activities (including the reclassification process) and health and safety matters.

"Congratulations to Lisa Liotta on her appointment to the NCAA Division I Council," Tellitocci said. "With an extensive background in serving student-athletes, Lisa is well-prepared to represent the MAAC in this important role during a pivotal time in college athletics."

A member of the Canisius athletic department staff since 2018, Liotta was elevated to the role of Deputy Director of Athletics in October 2023. She oversees internal operations and all aspects of the student-athlete experience, working closely with Canisius' coaching and student-services staff to ensure a quality experience for the University's 400-plus student-athletes in competition, in the classroom and within the campus community.

She serves as the sport administrator for seven varsity sports programs: hockey, women's basketball, women's soccer, men's and women's cross country/track, men's and women's swimming and diving, women's lacrosse and rowing. Liotta represents Canisius as treasurer on the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Board of Directors and serves on the MAAC Council of Athletic Administrators. In 2023, she began a five-year term as a member of the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Committee, while also serving as the chairperson of the MAAC Swimming and Diving Committee.

Additionally, in the summer of 2023, Liotta was selected to participate in the Women Leaders In Sports Executive Institute (EI). EI prepares and positions women for advancement to the highest level by providing an immersive development experience that coaches on executive leadership skills and career strategy. In 2021-22, she was one of 22 senior-level athletic administrators selected by the NCAA leadership development team to participate in the NCAA Pathways Program. The NCAA Pathways Program is a year-long experiential learning opportunity for senior administrators committed to becoming athletic directors or conference commissioners.

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