PoA076 | Nan Carney-Debord, Denison University

In this episode Nan Carney-Debord discusses her career in athletics, transitioning from a highly successful basketball coach, teacher and administrator into the Athletics Director role at her alma mater. She talks about creating an environment that is “structurally conducive for optimal motivation” in her department and also her “get into the weeds” career advice for up-and-comers.

Carney-DeBord begins her sixth year as the Director of Athletics & Recreation at Denison University in 2016-17. She also serves as the faculty chair of the Department of Health, Exercise & Sport Studies.  Additionally, in 2016, Carney-DeBord was promoted to Associate Vice President of the college.

A graduate of Denison University and a member of the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame, she returned to her alma mater in 2011 after spending 25 years as the head women’s basketball coach and faculty member at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Prior to accepting the post to guide Denison’s athletic department, Carney-DeBord was one of the winningest coaches in Division III women’s basketball history, posting a career record of 433-227 while guiding Ohio Wesleyan to six NCAA Division III Tournament berths.  The Battling Bishops captured five NCAC championships and she was a seven-time conference Coach of the Year.  In 2001, she guided her team to the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament and was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division III National Coach of the Year.

In addition to her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Denison, Carney-DeBord earned a master’s of arts in athletics administration from Kent State University.

[Courtesy Denison Athletics Website]

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