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Lynn Oberbillig
Director of Athletics & Recreation
Email: loberbil@smith.edu
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Table of Contents:
03:05 – Moving to Division III
04:16 – Division III a Better Fit
05:26 – Single Gender Challenges
06:40 – NEWMAC Roots
09:05 – Recruiting to SIngle Gender Schools
12:56 – Funding the Needs
18:25 – The Future for Single Gender Athletics
22:09 – The Future of Division III
25:25 – Avoiding the Division I Path
29:01 – Giving Back to Division III
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Now entering her 17th year as the director of athletics, Oberbillig has served as an administrator, coach, and teacher throughout her career. A former basketball and softball player at the University of Iowa, Oberbillig holds a B.A. in Social Studies Education from the University of Iowa, a M.A. in Athletic Administration from the University of Iowa, and an M.B.A. from Nicholls State University.
Oberbillig arrived at Smith in 1990 after serving as the head softball coach at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana for 10 years. Asked to found the Colonels’ softball program, Oberbillig had the team in the national tournament by her second year and nationally ranked by 1984. Compiling a 310-225 record as program skipper, Oberbillig took a team that was 10-30 in her first season and improved that record to 47-14 within four years.
Oberbillig left Nicholls State in 1990 to come to Smith as facility manager, and was promoted to director of athletics in 1993, where she oversees operations for the whole department, including budget management, personnel, and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
Oberbillig also has extensive leadership experience at multiple levels. The current chair of the NCAA Division III management council, she also sits on the NCAA’s Executive Committee, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, and the NCAA’s President’s Council. She also served as president of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference for two years, the chair of the NCAA Division III Rowing Committee, helping to establish the first ever championship for the sport of rowing, and chair of the Softball Rules Committee.
In addition to her leadership positions, Oberbillig has been behind several upgrades to Smith’s athletic facilities, including the $4 million Olin Fitness Center, construction of new squash courts, the renovation of the equestrian center, the renovation of Smith’s Indoor Track and Tennis facility, the resurfacing of outdoor tennis courts and track, and most recently, the addition of the new turf field for field hockey and lacrosse.
Oberbillig also teaches in Smith’s Exercise and Sport Studies program, lecturing in courses in administration and sport pedagogy.
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