Editor’s Note: Dr. Darlene Bailey ’82 has been named Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics at William Jewell College. She most recently served as the Associate Commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. As part of her new responsibilities at Jewell, she will assist the College in making the transition to NCAA Division II. In the interview below, she discusses her return to the Hill, along with her vision for the future of athletics at William Jewell.

Any standout memories of your days on the Hill?
I remember the excitement of the opening of the Mabee Center. It opened when I arrived on campus in the fall of 1980. At that time it was a state-of-the art facility and expanded the campus “down the hill.” I recall getting called to the Dean of Students’ office when it was reported there was a dance at Evans House on a Saturday night during an open house. There was a wonderful 21-day trip to Germany during Winterim. I remember standing up to Dr. (Norris) Patterson (former physical education department chair and football
coach) when he questioned me about why a“girl” would want to be an athletic director, and listening to Coach (Fred) Flook’s
(former baseball coach) philosophies on life while traveling to road games.

What was your major?
History. My advisor was Dr. Ken Chatlos. He was an excellent teacher and helped me really understand Modern European History. I have greatly benefited in my career from my solid liberal arts education and communication skills.

What was your sport or athletic involvement?
I sustained a serious injury in basketball while still in high school. Because I was very interested in sports and all of my friends were still playing, I wanted to stay involved in some way. I began doing statistics, being the team manager and was the teacher’s aide for the athletic director. This early exposure to the administrative side of sports led to my working for the athletic department at William Jewell.
I was a student assistant to the Sports Information Director, who was also a faculty member. He resigned the position during football season and I became the SID as a student. It was a tremendous experience to have that kind of responsibility.

What were your impressions coming back to the Hill as a faculty member?
Jewell is a special place with great faculty, staff and students who genuinely care about the College and each other.

What’s different?
Computers. Fewer trees. The students look younger. Larry Holley looks older! Campus strikes me as more beautiful than I remember it, with more flowers. Maybe I notice flowers more now than when I was 20 years old.

What’s the same?
When you stand outside the union and look onto the Quad, things look essentially the same. The buildings are the same. You see farmland to the east and the KC skyline to the southwest. There is something very comforting in all of this. The feeling of security is the same. Of course I have a different perspective and appreciation being nearly 30 years removed from my original experience. There is a part of me that would like to do it over again and maximize my experience.

Why do you believe the NCAA move is the right one for Jewell?
I would not be here if that were not the case. I believe overall the NCAA will provide a higher quality and more enriching experience for our studentathletes. The NCAA is a powerful brand. It is what people think of first when thinking of college sports at any level. I believe NCAA membership is consistent with the overall plan of where Jewell wants to position itself as an institution.

How does the NCAA philosophy of the student-athlete experience mesh with Jewell’s mission of educating thewhole person?
The six attributes of Division II (learning, service, passion, sportsmanship, resourcefulness, balance) are very consistent with the “Live What You Learn” philosophy of William Jewell. It is important that students have a quality athletic experience at Jewell and within
NCAA Division II, but that should be balanced with the overall academic experience and integrated into everyday life.

What role does athletics play in the student experience at Jewell?
There are students who come to Jewell primarily because of athletics who also find an academic program to fit their needs. There are students who come to Jewell primarily because of a particular academic program who also have the opportunity to have a varsity athletic experience. Jewell is able to provide all students with a quality experience. Because nearly one-third of Jewell students are involved in athletics, it is a big part of the student experience on campus. Those students who are not directly involved likely know someone who is involved. Athletics is a rallying point for a college campus. Current students will become alumni and are most likely to return to campus for athletic events.