Big addition to CDC staff

[GoHorns1]

A highly respected veteran administrator with extensive Southeastern Conference experience and a law degree from The University of Texas, Lynda Tealer is joining Chris Del Conte's Texas Athletics executive leadership team as Deputy Athletics Director for Strategic Initiatives and Administration. A former collegiate student-athlete, Tealer comes to Texas after serving the past two years as the NCAA's Senior Vice President of Championships. Tealer will officially begin her role at Texas on September 1.

"Lynda is incredible. She brings a breadth of experience and expertise, along with a wealth of knowledge, to our athletics department, and on top of all that, she's a Longhorn," said UT Vice President and Lois and Richard Folger Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. "When we began looking to fill this role, Lynda's name came up time and time again. She checked every box for what we were looking for and was an absolute home run hire. Her experience as a former student-athlete gives her a unique perspective as an athletics administrator, she's one of our own as a UT Law School graduate, and her legal background is invaluable in this role. She's someone I've always admired. She has a passion for college athletics, is deeply respected by student-athletes, coaches and administrators across the country, and has a proven ability to build relationships and collaborate across campus. That makes her a perfect fit for our executive team. I'm thrilled to welcome Lynda back to the Forty Acres and excited for the impact she'll have on Texas Athletics."

"This is a genuinely unique opportunity for me to finish my career where it all began," Tealer said. "My time in Law School at Texas was such an important launching point professionally. While I didn't have much experience at that time, I knew I wanted to be involved in college athletics, and Texas is where I fell in love with the industry. To have the opportunity to come back and contribute to this university at this stage of my career is special. Not many people get the chance to return to the place that helped shape their professional journey, and I don't take that for granted. It's truly a dream come true, and I'm so grateful to Chris Del Conte for giving me this wonderful opportunity."

Since May of 2024 at the NCAA, Tealer oversaw 84 NCAA championships, including functions in event operations, media coordination and statistics, playing rules, ticket operations and marketing, merchandise and licensing, and social and digital media. In her role with the NCAA and at championship events at Florida before that, Tealer was able to get to know Del Conte and his leadership style as well.

"I've had the opportunity to get to know Chris over the years at championship events," she added. "He's obviously a tremendous leader who has built one of the premier athletics departments in the country, but what excites me most is the opportunity to work with and for someone who genuinely cares about student-athletes, coaches and the future of college athletics. He leads in a way that brings people together, creates alignment and reminds everyone that relationships matter. That approach is especially meaningful in today's environment. I appreciate his perspective on our industry, the way he treats people and his vision for the future of college athletics. There are certainly challenges and difficult issues we face, but at the end of the day this should still be fun. Building relationships and enjoying the process and the people you work with matters, and that's a priority for Chris and his staff."

Prior to her time at the NCAA, Tealer spent 29 years in college athletic administration, 21 of those in the SEC at Florida. With the Gators, she served as deputy athletics director and oversaw the university's women's programs plus men's basketball. Tealer began her career at Florida as a senior administrator in 2003 before spending more than a decade as deputy athletics director while also serving as a University Athletic Association board member and the athletics department's deputy Title IX coordinator. 

Before her 21 years at Florida, Tealer worked for current SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey as associate commissioner of the Southland Conference from 2000-03. She served as assistant athletics director at Santa Clara from 1995-2000.

"I'm excited to be back in the SEC," Tealer added. "Greg Sankey is a tremendous leader and a personal friend. I had the opportunity to work with him at the Southland Conference and again during my time at Florida, and I'm looking forward to doing so once more. I'm also excited to reconnect with so many outstanding leaders and administrators across the SEC. It's a group that is always focused on doing what's best for the conference and its student-athletes, and I look forward to collaborating with them again."

Tealer has served in several leadership positions in the NCAA governance structure, including as chair of the Division I Council and as a member of the Division I Board of Directors and NCAA Board of Governors. She served on the council's Competition Oversight Committee, NIL Working Group and Council Coordination Committee. She also held roles on the Division I Transformation Committee and the Southeastern Conference/ESPN Content Board.

A former college basketball player, Tealer received her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of San Diego in 1992. She earned her law degree from The University of Texas in 1995. Her time on the Forty Acres was very impactful as Tealer set out on a career in collegiate athletics.

"I'll be forever grateful to DeLoss Dodds," Tealer said. "When I was in law school at Texas, he took time to meet with me to talk about college athletics and introduced me to so many people throughout the department. That opened the door for me to spend time learning so many aspects of the operation. I visited with people, asked tons of questions, answered phones in the Longhorn Foundation and volunteered whenever I could. Coming from a small private college where I played basketball, I really didn't understand what athletics administration was or the many roles people played in supporting student-athletes and coaches. Texas is where I was exposed to the inner workings of a major athletics department and saw firsthand the dedication of the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. That's where I fell in love with the business of college athletics, and it all started because of the kindness, mentorship and support DeLoss gave me. The impact he had on my life and career is something I'll always be grateful for."

[Bobby Burton]

This is essentially the replacement for Shawn Eichorst who left to be AD at Wisconsin. There will be some slight reshuffling in the AD office overall along with it.

[GoHorns1]

35 minutes ago, Bobby Burton said:

This is essentially the replacement for Shawn Eichorst who left to be AD at Wisconsin. There will be some slight reshuffling in the AD office overall along with it.

With lots of experience and from a former student athlete perspective.

[HookedOnTF]

"Senior Vice President of Championships"

Heckuva title

[tsip92]

14 minutes ago, HookedOnTF said:

"Senior Vice President of Championships"

Heckuva title

Need to put her on the football staff with a title like that.  Leave nothing to chance Sark!