Gators Deputy AD Tealer Lands Job as Senior VP of NCAA Championships
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 | General, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Whether in meeting rooms at the University Athletic Association or courtside at a Florida Gators sporting event, Lynda Tealer has provided a calm and informed presence for the past 21 years.
Tealer, Florida's deputy athletic director and a member of the UAA staff since August 2003, has a new role on the horizon. The NCAA announced Tuesday afternoon that Tealer has been hired at its new senior vice president of championships.
Tealer will oversee 84 NCAA championships, including functions in event operations, media coordination and statistics, playing rules, ticket operations and marketing, merchandise and licensing, and social and digital media according to an NCAA press release.
"I am excited about the opportunity to lead NCAA championships through a period of growth and positive change," Tealer said. "It's an exciting time to join the team in Indianapolis as we work together to make championship participation the pinnacle of a young person's college experience and a highlight for families, fans and all who take part in our events."
NCAA names Lynda Tealer senior vice president of championships and Anthony Holman vice president of championships: https://t.co/WxHwO7gvHH pic.twitter.com/4gSo8eHRDA
— NCAA News (@NCAA_PR) April 30, 2024
Tealer oversees UF's women's programs and men's basketball in her current position, and is also a UAA board member and the athletic department's deputy Title IX coordinator.
Tealer served as the associate commissioner of the Southland Conference from 2000-03 prior to her arrival at Florida.
Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin congratulated Tealer on her new position in a staff email Tuesday.
"Lynda has been an integral part of the UAA for over two decades, and her contributions have played a significant role in the success and growth of our department,'' Stricklin said. "Her leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, coaches and staff have left an indelible mark on UF, and she will be greatly missed."
Tealer is scheduled to start with the NCAA on May 6 but will remain in Gainesville until July 1.
NCAA President Charlie Baker said Tealer is a good fit as the NCAA undergoes changes in the shifting landscape of college athletics.
"Lynda's background working with student-athletes, coaches and administrators, not to mention her time competing as a student-athlete, make her an ideal candidate to shape the future of our championships," Baker said. "She's intimately familiar with the association's governance structure and brings decades of leadership experience."
In the wake of Tealer's upcoming departure, Stricklin said the UAA is forming a search committee to conduct a thorough and comprehensive search for its next deputy athletic director.
"We are committed to finding a candidate who possesses the leadership, vision, and dedication necessary to continue building upon the strong foundation that Lynda has helped to establish,'' Stricklin said. "Once again, please join me in congratulating Lynda on her new role and thanking her for her invaluable contributions to our department."
