GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida president Kent Fuchs was at the podium reading his opening remarks as he prepared to introduce Scott Stricklin as the Gators new athletic director during a news conference back in the fall 2016. Fuchs acknowledged the work done by the search committee, as well as the direction and input provided by outgoing AD Jeremy Foley.
He had one more person to mention. Fuchs asked Lynda Tealer to stand.
Tealer, the executive associate athletics director for administration, had served as the liaison between the UAA and the university during the search. Fuchs praised her dedication and diligence during the process, expressing his appreciation for the work she'd done.
About an hour later, after Stricklin spoke and took questions from reporters, the participants did breakout interviews, including search committee head Manny Fernandez, a former UF board of trustees chair and one of the university's most distinguished alumnus and philanthropists. Fernandez singled out Tealer's role, as well.
"That woman over there," Fernandez said, motioning in Tealer's direction. "She is a rock star."
Lynda Tealer, a basketball player at the University of San Diego and with a law degree from the University of Texas, came to UF in 2002 after a stint as associate commissioner of the Southland Conference.
Indeed, Tealer has been a tremendous asset to the Gators since arriving in 2002. A basketball player and business administration major at the University of San Diego, Tealer added a law degree from the University of Texas, then furthered an impressive resume with compliance work at UCLA and Santa Clara before joining the Southland Conference as an associate commissioner (alongside a fellow named Greg Sankey). She replaced Ann Marie Rogers as UF's senior women's administrator and became Foley's right hand and confidante as the No. 2-ranking administrator in the organization.
March is Women's History Month, and women have played a huge role in Gators history. Tealer is a shining-(rock)-star example of how that role has extended beyond the arena and the likes of Tracy Caulkins, Page Dunlap, Dara Torres, Lisa Raymond, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Abby Wambach, Aury Cruz, Lauren Embree, Kytra Hunter, Bridget Sloan, Lauren Haeger, Trinity Thomas ... the list is lengthy. Tealer's work and the work of countless other women in the organization, many of whom have had to strike the delicate balance between work and family, is to be commended.
"This is a wonderful profession. Name me another job where you're jumping out of your seat, cheering or crying. There isn't one," Tealer said. "I've always thought the way to be successful is to do your work and not compare how you're doing it to how others are doing theirs. That, to me, is a recipe for failure in any job. Do the job your way and don't compare how the person before you did it or how a male counterpart may have done it."
That approach has made Tealer the most powerful woman in Gator athletics.
But she is far from the only woman to wield organizational clout.
"The UAA is fortunate to have some of the nation's top female leaders in collegiate athletics that drive our mission of delivering a championship experience with integrity," Stricklin said this week. "The experience and expertise of those leaders also serve as mentors to the next generation of leaders among women in college athletics administration and beyond."
So in the spirit of Women's History Month, recognized annually in March since 1987, here are 10 veteran women of the UAA — all with at least a decade worth of service — who fans will not see on the sidelines or their television screens, but whose behind-the-scenes, day-to-day contributions to the Gators are invaluable.
KATHY COOK Title: Director, Internal Operations/Stewardship, Gator Boosters. Hometown: Springfield, Vt. College: Hinds (Jackson, Miss.) Community College, Class of '88 Path to UF: Started as a receptionist in the marketing department, eventually moved into full-time position in the ticket office, then after nearly three years moved to Gator Boosters as, first, a computer administrator, then membership services administrator and now director of internal operations. Years at UAA: 27 Duties: Oversight of day-to-day operation, stewardship initiatives for membership, special donor events and as assist controller with budget. Most cherished Gator memory: "The 2007 Tostitos BCS National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz. Ohio State was favored. Prior to the game, we explored the area and came in contact with so many Buckeye fans who were very confident they were going to win and were not very nice. One fan saw my Gator shirt and approached me and said he wanted to give me something. He slipped into my hand a buckeye and said that was a lucky charm because we were going to need it. After we beat them 41-14, I wanted nothing more than to find him and give his buckeye back, but he, like most Ohio State fans, slipped out at the beginning of the fourth quarter. What an amazing win. It truly is great to be a Florida Gator."
DEBBIE GAY Title: Manager, Gator Licensing Hometown: Newport, R.I. Path to UF: Began career with Gator SportShop operations in 1985 and joined licensing department in its inaugural 1986 year of inception. Years at UAA: 36 Duties: Protecting the integrity and goodwill associated with the University of Florida's name and image through the protection and promotion of all "trademarks" that are representative of the university. Works daily with Collegiate Licensing Company and it's number of vendors. Most cherished Gator memory: "Winning the second of the back-to-back basketball national championships in 2007."
KIM GREEN Title: Associate Athletics Director, Compliance Hometown: Greensboro, Alabama College: Tuskegee University, Class of '87 Path to UF: Began in 1992 as an academic graduate assistant for women's basketball in the 'Office of Student Life,' since renamed the Otis Hawkins Center. Transitioned to administration in 2005 and am currently Associate Athletics Director for Compliance. Years at UAA: 29 Duties: Administrative oversight of women's tennis and gymnastics; assists with daily operations of compliance office, including rules education and enforcement of student-athletes, coaches, staff, boosters; NCAA and SEC waivers and NCAA and SEC reporting. Most cherished Gator memory: "Women's tennis winning the 2011 NCAA championship against No. 1 Stanford on its home court in Palo Alto, Calif. The match was tied 3-3 and only the Court 2 matchup left. Lauren Embree vs. Mallory Burdette. Lauren fell behind 4-0 in the third set and came back to win 7-6 in a third-set tiebreaker. Simply amazing national-championship moment that I will never forget."
STACEY HIGGINS
Title: Associate Athletics Director, Sports Health Hometown: Greencastle, Ind. College: Indiana State, Class of '01; Master's degree (Kinesiology and Health Promotions), University of Kentucky, '03 Path to UF: Hired that summer of '03 as trainer for UF gymnastics in July and took on additional duties as Lemerand Athletic Training Facility manager for three years in '06. ... Promoted up UAA chain in sports health to eventual associate AD in 2019.
Years at UAA: 18
Duties: Co-department head of Sports Medicine Team in the Athletic Department. Oversight to the Sports Nutrition Department; NCAA designated Athletics Healthcare Administrator; Chair of Women's Health & Performance, Pre-Participation Physical Exam, Mental Health, and Policy & Procedure committees. Member on several UAA Medical Advisory, Substance Abuse and Business Continuity committees. Most cherished Gator memory: "I always think back to the first championship I was a part of with the gymnastics team. It was at the 2007 SEC Championships. Being on the floor and celebrating with the team and the coaches when we realized that we had won, that was a breakthrough moment for that team and those coaches. In that one moment every bit of energy that we had poured into that team had paid off. That was my first time being apart of anything like that and I will never forget that feeling."
MARY HOWARD Title: Senior Associate Athletics Director, Communications Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa College: Iowa State, Class of '86 Path to UF: Hired out of college as women's sports information director. Years at UAA: 35 Duties: Co-supervisor of UAA Communications Department, director for gymnastics and soccer, with daily other administrative responsibilities. Publications liaison with Gator Boosters, Inc. for annual report to its 13,000-plus membership. Most cherished Gator memory: "A lot of things stick out, of course, but the first soccer match was ridiculous. It was against Florida State. It was the same day as the football season opener [in 1995]. Fans got there early to get their T-shirts. It was packed and crazy and the start of something new. Another example of how the people of Gainesville and this entire area really support women's athletics."
ANN HUGHES Title: Assistant Director, Student Services, The Hawkins Center Hometown: University Place, Wash. College: University of Washington, Class of '78; Master's degree (Education/Sports Administration), Ohio University, '79. Path to UF: Worked as a student assistant to the head football coach and athletic director at UW from 1974-78 ... Public relations assistant, Seattle Seahawks, 1977 ... Graduate intern, San Diego State University Aztec Athletic Association, 1979 ... Holiday Bowl Staff, 1979 ... graduate intern, University of Nebraska, 1981 ... UAA Office of Student Life, 1981. Years at UAA: 39 Duties: Academic advisor for baseball and men's and women's golf teams. Liaison to Housing and Residence Education. Co-Coordinator of the Student-Athlete Orientation program. Member of the Eligibility and Registration teams. Most cherished Gator memory: "Too many great ones to single out just one. Most of my most favorite moments are the day-to-day achievements and successes of our students."
Path to UF: After graduating from Virginia Tech I worked on the marketing staff there for three years. I moved to Florida as an Assistant Director, Marketing in 2010.
Years at UAA: 11
Duties: Oversight of GatorVision, SEC Network and broadcasting, marketing, branding and social media. Advisor to the Men's Basketball Rowdies. Most cherished Gator memory: "I always have a hard time with my most cherished memory here. I've been so blessed in my journey here to work with unbelievable people, the 18-0 SEC season with the 2014 men's basketball team & that run to the Final Four, the Chiozza shot in MSG, a Final Four trip with lacrosse, a surprise Military welcome home in The Swamp in 2015 and a number of incredible nights & evenings in the O'Connell Center between both volleyball & basketball where the fan base & teams were just electric. But I guess in terms of the one I cherish the most, it's going to be one most people don't know about me. My grandfather was a Blue Angel. He passed away in an accident during a "Beetle Bomb" routine over 70 years ago when my father was only 6 months old. In 2018 the Blue Angels agreed (which is a very rare occurrence) to do the flyover for the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville. When I met the crew pre-game to make sure we were all set on timing I mentioned my grandfather to them, they knew of him, they agreed to take a photo with me & according to my mom when my dad received the photo that day there were tears. No surprise the flyover was perfect and it's a photo, a moment & memory that my dad & I cherish to this day."
College: Catholic University of America, Class of '93; Master's degree (Sports Administration), Ohio University, '95. Path to UF: Work study student in athletic department at Catholic University ... Hired at UF in 1995 in operations and facilities. Years at UAA: 26
Duties: Oversees financial operations for the UAA including budgeting, financial statement audit and preparation, pension plan management, capital project financing and travel.
Most cherished Gator memory: "There are lots of championships I have fortunate to be a part of and those are amazing, but day to day it is the people I have had the opportunity to work with who are the most cherished. And, I did meet my husband at a UF baseball game and that was a good one too."
LYNDA TEALER
Title: Executive Associate Athletics Director for Administration Hometown: San Diego
College: University of San Diego, Class of '92; University of Texas School of Law, '95.
Path to UF: Played basketball at the USD ... Law school at UT ... Internship at UCLA in compliance office, then administrative posts at Santa Clara University and the Southland Conference before coming to UF.
Years at UAA: 19 Duties: Administrative oversight of men's basketball, volleyball, softball, sports health, information technology and human resources. Liaison with General Counsel's Office and serves on a number of NCAA working groups, including Chair of the Competition Oversight Committee and Vice Chair of Division I Council. Most cherished Gator memory: "I'm going to cheat and say I have a favorite category of memory. It's the breakthrough, whether for an individual or a team. Softball's first Super Regional win to advance to the Women's College World Series; gymnastics qualifying for its first NCAA Super Six after a long drought; a softball athlete, in a bit of a slump, hitting a grand slam to advance the Gators to Oklahoma City. There are so many, but it's my favorite type of memory; overcoming history, injury or the odds to accomplish something memorable."
LINDSEY THOMAS Title: Associate Athletics Director, Operations & Facilities Hometown: Port Charlotte, Fla. College: University of Florida, Class of 06; Masters degrees (sports administration and management) at UF, '07 and '08. Path to UF: Student volunteer in operations on football game days in 2004-05. ... Master's degrees at UF in sports management ('07) and management '08). ... Internships at Gainesville Sports Organization Committee and United States Soccer League, UAA Marketing volunteer, worked at UF College of Health and Human Performance, then at Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston before taking an UAA Operations internship in 2007. ... Promoted to Operations coordinator in 2008. Years at UAA: 14 Duties: Senior leadership and department head for operations, events and guest services, along with administrative oversight of lacrosse. Most cherished Gator memory: "The blocked kicks in the 2006 game against. South Carolina. It was so loud in 'The Swamp' and you could feel the energy from everyone in the crowd.'
KATHY COOK
DEBBIE GAY 
KIM GREEN
STACEY HIGGINS
ANN HUGHES 
ALICIA LONGWORTH
MELISSA STUCKEY
LYNDA TEALER
LINDSEY THOMAS 
MARY HOWARD 
