INDIANAPOLIS – Elizabeth City State University Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Nancy Lake has been selected to participate in the NCAA's 2026-27 Pathway Program, a prestigious yearlong leadership development initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for future roles as athletics directors and conference commissioners.
Lake was one of only 21 administrators from NCAA Divisions I, II and III selected for the 2026-27 cohort. The Pathway Program is recognized as one of the NCAA's premier professional development opportunities, providing participants with executive-level training, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.
"Nancy's selection to the NCAA Pathway Program is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the leadership she provides to our department each day," said Director of Athletics James DuBose Jr. "Her dedication to compliance, student-athlete success and the overall mission of ECSU Athletics has made a lasting impact. We are excited to see her represent Elizabeth City State University among the nation's emerging leaders in collegiate athletics."
The NCAA Pathway Program was established in 1997 to strengthen the pipeline of future athletics directors and conference commissioners. Participants engage in a comprehensive curriculum focused on strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, governance and contemporary issues impacting intercollegiate athletics while receiving mentorship from experienced leaders across higher education and college sports.
The 2026-27 cohort gathered June 21-25 in Indianapolis for the program's opening session and will continue throughout the academic year before concluding at the 2027 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.
"I am honored to have been selected for the NCAA Pathway Program and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside such an accomplished group of athletics administrators," said Lake. "I look forward to growing as a leader and bringing new ideas and perspectives back to ECSU as we continue to support the success of our student-athletes."
More than 300 administrators have completed the Pathway Program since its inception. According to the NCAA, over 55 percent of program alumni have earned promotions, while 26 percent have advanced to athletics director or conference commissioner positions during the past five years.
ABOUT ECSU ATHLETICS
Elizabeth City State University sponsors 11 NCAA Division II varsity sports and competes as a member of the CIAA. ECSU Athletics is committed to providing a championship experience for student-athletes through excellence in competition, academics and community engagement.
