Penn State AD Sandy Barbour holds first news conference since announcing plans to retire: Watch
STATE COLLEGE — Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour met the media for the first time since announcing her retirement on Monday.
The 62-year-old ninth-year leader of the Lions athletic department will work through the summer and then move on. She said here that she will live in State College for a year before moving back out west, where the Maryland native said most of her family lives.
“As we got clear of the fall, football season, the bowl game, and finished up our women’s volleyball search, our COVID numbers started to go down and we were all able to kind of take a little bit of a breath,” Barbour said. “I really started reflecting and thinking about all of this, thinking about kind of where I was from health and well-being standpoint, and where my mind was. I didn’t get an opportunity to see my family over the holidays because of the bowl and the search. I went and spent some time with my family late January. That really started my mind thinking, and as I kind of assessed where I was and started thinking about it, in terms of the intersection with where Penn State was, and in particular our presidential transition.
“I really determined and decided that, not only was it the best decision for me at the right time for me, but that it was probably pretty good timing for Penn State. And so, that’s, that’s where my decision came from.”
What’s next for Barbour, Penn State?
Penn State is at a pivotal point in regards to its university leadership structure.
New president Dr. Neeli Bendapudi is set to replace the retiring Eric Barron in May. Her first big assignment will be finding Barbour’s replacement. Northern Illinois athletic director Sean Frazier is a “prime target” according to Brett McMurphy of The Action Network. But, others will certainly be pursued as well.
As for Barbour, she said she will not be an athletic director again at the conclusion of this contract. That’s consistent with what she said back when she signed an extension in 2019. However, her working days are likely to continue beyond Penn State.
“I definitely want to teach,” Barbour said. “I did a little bit of teaching along the way at some times and really enjoyed it. You all know how I feel about students and their opportunities, and I’d love to have the opportunity to get in the classroom. It’s kind of like being a coach again.
“Other than that I have no idea. I want to take some time and just do some things maybe at my own pace. And, then I’ll figure it out. Maybe there’ll be some consulting. Maybe there’ll be some cause work.”
Watch Barbour’s news conference
You can see the entirety of the Penn State athletic director’s opening statement plus a question and answer session with reporters below.
