Episode 12: Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy
TAMPA, JULY 15, 2020 – Vice President of Athletics
Michael Kelly catches up with former USF Senior Associate Athletic Director Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy in the 12th episode of
Kelly's Conversations.
Kelly's new weekly podcast series features USF standouts, coaches and administrators of the past, reliving their exciting moments in Bulls history and informing listeners on what they're up to now.
Episode 1: Chad Barnhardt
Episode 2: Courtney Williams
Episode 3: Chucky Atkins
Episode 4: Austin Reiter
Episode 5: Paul Griffin
Episode 6: Shane McClanahan
Episode 7: Sam Barrington
Episode 8: Kerine Black
Episode 9: Jeff Attinella
Episode 10: Michelle Collier
Episode 11: Anddrikk Frazier
Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy USF Feats
- USF Senior Associate Athletic Director from 1998-2008.
- Member of USF Athletics from 1982-2008.
Started with USF Athletics as the Bulls' business manager before becoming an assistant athletic director. - Had administrative supervision of numerous athletic teams at USF, including baseball, men's soccer, women's sailing, softball and volleyball.
- Also oversaw academics, strength and conditioning and sports medicine during her time with USF Athletics.
- Served as interim athletic director on two different occasions.
- During her tenure, USF added women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, football and women's sailing.
- Was with USF through four different conferences – Sun Belt, Metro, Conference USA, Big East.
- Served as a Senior Women's Administrator for USF and had oversight responsibility for Title IX compliance.
- Was an integral part of the team that planned, designed and oversaw construction of the Athletics Training Facility and was the USF Athletics' liaison to the USF Board of Trustees Academics and Campus Environment Workgroup.
- Selected to the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Business and Finance Cabinet in 1997 and also was a part of the cabinet's marketing committee.
- Represented USF on the State Council on Equity in Athletics for more than 15 years and served as chair of the Finance Committee for the Council.
- Served on the Big East Conference Championships and Competitions Committee and was a member of the conference's men's soccer committee.
- Was the chair of the Conference USA Senior Woman Administrators (1999-2000).
- Has served on Board of Directors for the Bulls Varsity Club.
- Served as an adjunct instructor at USF.
- Earned a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in guidance and counselor education, both from USF.
- Serves on Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Board of Directors at USF and co-chaired USF's mentoring committee this past year.
Other Interesting Facts
- Born in Covington, Ky., and has lived in Florida for most of her life.
- Grew up in Southwest Miami.
- Member of the Sports Club of Tampa Bay and will be installed as the organization's new president for the second time.
- Member of the Tampa Bay Local Advisory Committee.
- Served as Executive Director of Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce.
- 2008 Temple Terrace Citizen of the Year finalist.
- Served on the Board of Directors for the Police Athletic League of Tampa.
About USF Athletics
USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men's and women's teams that compete in 11 different sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls' athletic program began in 1965 and is in its 54th season in 2019-20. Nearly 450 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 19 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, and own 120 conference titles overall. Eleven USF programs reached national postseason competition in the 2018-19 season and six were ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the fifth straight year in 2019-20 and have posted a program record 11 straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has had more than 300 student-athletes earn their degree since 2016-17.
Follow USF Athletics on Twitter (
@USFAthletics) and
Facebook for all the latest information concerning the USF Athletic program.
- #GoBulls –
