Heidelberg welcomes new OAC commissioner for campus visit

New Ohio Athletic Conference Commissioner Sarah Otey spent half of the day on campus Tuesday getting to know Heidelberg’s student-athletes, Athletic Leadership Team and administration. 

As a former Division III standout athlete, coach, administrator and NCAA leader, the new commissioner has a keen understanding of the DIII student-athlete experience and how to successfully integrate athletics into higher education, supporting excellence in the classroom and on the field.

Accompanied by OAC Director of Information Lindsay Miller, Sarah toured the campus with President Rob Huntington and Dean of Student Affairs Chris Abrams, followed by a conversation with ‘Berg coaches and the Athletic Training staff. 

Later, she headed to Hoernemann Stadium, where she met with student-athletes and had lunch and conversation with Traci Stark and Jon Waters, Heidelberg’s faculty reps to the OAC, Rob, Chris and the Athletic Leadership Team of Morgan Harrigan, Kayela Tidrick, Jeff Garvin and Jason Miller.

At lunch, the group discussed the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics (and if the OAC could lure Oklahoma and Texas away from the SEC). Plans were made for this year's Rhine River Cup rivalry game against Otterbein (Oct. 16) and ways to commemorate next year's event, which marks the 30th anniversary.

The day concluded with the OAC Presidents Council zoom meeting. Rob is currently serving as president of the Presidents Council.

Sarah began her tenure as OAC commissioner in June, only the second full-time commissioner and the first woman in the history of the conference. Prior to joining the OAC, she was the director of academic and membership affairs at the NCAA. A standout athlete, she played basketball at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, graduating with her bachelor's degree in psychology. 2007. She also has a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Virginia and has earned a number of certifications in athletics leadership training.