UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos has been named the Sandy Barbour Nike DI FBS Athletic Director of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports. Campos was recognized for her leadership in guiding UTSA Athletics through one of the most successful periods in the department’s history.
Campos also was named the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletics Director of the Year earlier this year and was recognized at the organization’s annual convention in June.
“It’s truly gratifying that I get to lead and serve an incredible group of student-athletes, coaches and staff at UTSA each and every day,” Campos said. “I’m extremely grateful for the support of our president, Dr. Taylor Eighmy, and our university leadership. There is so much positive momentum for our university and athletics department, and this honor is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone who touches and is a part of UTSA Athletics.”
Women Leaders in Sports is an organization committed to empowering and championing the women shaping the sports industry today and developing those who will lead it to a better tomorrow.
Campos was recognized by Women Leaders along with the NFL’s Sam Rapoport, who was selected as the Nell Jackson Nike Executive of the Year, among several others.
“Each year, our awards shine a light on extraordinary women who are moving our industry forward through bold leadership, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Women Leaders CEO Patti Phillips. “This year, more than 200 remarkable women were nominated by their peers, a testament to the incredible talent and impact women are making across sports. Narrowing this year’s field was no easy task, and we are honored to celebrate this exceptional group of leaders whose influence will be felt for years to come.”
Campos, who was named the university’s vice president for intercollegiate athletics in 2017, has made a transformative impact on the UTSA Athletics program. In 2022, she was named one of five finalists for the Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year accolade. In 2024, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce honored her with its Promise Award, which recognizes an exceptional leader who has made a significant impact on business and the community in a short span of time in San Antonio.
Campos led UTSA into the American Conference in 2023, and the Roadrunners have excelled since joining the league. In the past two years, UTSA has won back-to-back regular-season conference championships in baseball, a regular season and tournament championship in women’s basketball and a tournament championship in soccer. During Campos’ time leading the department, UTSA’s sports programs have produced more than 40 All-Americans, nearly 300 all-conference selections and 11 team conference championships.
She has spearheaded a transformational change to the university’s athletics facilities, opening the $40.4 million Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence to serve as the hub for all of UTSA Athletics in 2021. In 2023, the Roadrunners opened the Park West Field House to serve UTSA’s soccer and track & field student-athletes. This fall, the $35 million state-of-the-art Basketball and Volleyball Training Center will debut.
The university’s student-athletes have also flourished in academics during Campos’ tenure. UTSA Athletics has recorded an NCAA Division I Graduation Success Rate of better than 80% each year since her arrival, including a department-record 92% GSR in the latest report.
Campos, a first-generation college graduate, has led a national model for serving first-generation student-athletes. This past academic year, UTSA became the first school in the nation to provide first-generation jersey patches for student-athletes who are the first in their families to attend college. Under her direction, UTSA Athletics also launched the UTSA Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2023 to honor its legendary student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have shaped its history.
She is currently serving a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee. She also served as chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee and as chair of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Committee. Campos was instrumental in the university’s role as a host institution for the 2018 and 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Fours and the 2021 Women’s Final Four, as well as the city landing the 2026 NCAA Volleyball Championships and the 2029 Women’s Final Four.
