Carolyn Schlie Femovich is an accomplished leader and respected administrator in intercollegiate athletics. She has served in leadership positions for 40 years at both the campus and conference office levels.
Femovich was appointed Executive Director of the Patriot League in 1999 and provided executive leadership for the growth and development of the League until stepping down from the position in 2015. At the time of her appointment, she was one of two women to hold the top post of a combined men and women's conference at the NCAA Division I level. The League is respected for the successful integration of competitive Division I athletics programs into the mission of the institution while leading the country in graduation rates and academic achievement.
Throughout her tenure at the Patriot League, Femovich focused on key areas including the development of a comprehensive multimedia package, expansion of League membership, and improvement of League competitiveness. Emphasis was placed on programs that presented unique opportunities for the advancement of the League and positioning the League as a voice and leader on national affairs. During her time, the Patriot League Leadership Academy was initiated as a program designed to develop its scholar-athletes into world-class leaders and in 2013, an innovative and comprehensive digital network was launched to promote and publicize the League’s 24 sport programs.
Femovich has served in national leadership positions with the NCAA as chair of the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet, on the NCAA Management Council and Division I Women’s Basketball Committee as well as on numerous regional and national committees. She served a two-year term as chair of the Division I Collegiate Commissioners’ Association (CCA) and was also chairperson of the Collegiate Women's Sports Awards Program where she continues to serve as a member of the executive committee. She has been a board member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) and also served as president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Femovich served in leadership roles as Senior Associate Director, Interim Director of Athletics and Associate Director at the University of Pennsylvania from 1982 to 1999. She began her career in intercollegiate athletics in 1975 at Gettysburg College where she served as head coach of women's basketball and tennis, assistant professor and Coordinator of Women's Athletics.
Femovich is a graduate of Valparaiso University where she currently serves on the Board of Directors, and received a Master of Science degree from Indiana University.