Watch the video tribute to help cast your vote for former Senior Associate Athletics Director

KENT, Ohio – Judy Devine has long been a champion of women’s athletics and academics at Kent State.  Now it is time for the Kent State community to be a champion for her.  

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Title IX, NACWAA is hosting a video tribute contest to celebrate a Title IX trailblazer who has made significant contributions in the area of gender equity.  Devine is one of only 25 candidates nationwide up for the award which includes a $9,000 gift from the NACWAA Foundation Fund in support of women’s athletics programs at the winning representative’s university.  

The video submission with the most views between 10 a.m. EST on Monday, April 9, and 6 p.m. EST on Monday, April 23, will win the prize.  

Help support Judy by watching the video below and sharing it with your friends.



Use the hashtag #Vote4Judy when refering to the video with your twitter followers

Considered the matriarch of Kent State University Athletics, Devine retired from her post as associate athletic director in 2000 following 31 years in a variety of roles within the department. She came to Kent State as a graduate assistant in 1969 and went on to serve for two seasons (1975-77) as the first head coach of the women’s basketball team in addition to directing the field hockey team from its inception in 1975 through the 1980 campaign.

When the men’s and women’s athletic programs were merged in 1975, she was given the responsibilities of assistant director of athletics before being elevated to associate athletic director in 1978. At the time of her retirement, she coordinated financial aid, housing, awards and the academic performance of Kent State’s student-athletes. She also handled compliance and eligibility until 1999.

In addition to permanently endowing the Athletic Academic Honors Dinner and the expansion of the Academic Resource Center expansion, Devine’s contributions towards Kent State total more than $1.4 million.