Nancy Lake arrived at ECSU in 2023, as the Associated Athletic Director for Compliance. Lake brings more than two decades of experience in intercollegiate athletics administration, with a distinguished career centered on NCAA compliance, governance, and student-athlete support. AT ECSU, she is essential in providing strategic guidance in NCAA compliance, Title IX, and Academic Support.
Most recently, Lake served as Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance & Student Services at South Carolina State University, where she oversaw all aspects of NCAA compliance while supporting student-athlete development initiatives. In this role, she worked closely with campus partners to ensure institutional adherence to NCAA, conference, and federal regulations, while also serving as a key advisor to senior athletics leadership.
Lake spent seven years as Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at Shaw University, where she directed the institution’s comprehensive compliance program, including rules education, monitoring, eligibility certification, waivers, and reporting. Her leadership was instrumental in strengthening compliance systems and fostering a culture of accountability and education across coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
Her extensive compliance background also includes roles as Director of Compliance at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Compliance Officer/Coordinator at Hampton University, where she managed NCAA rules interpretations, investigations, and institutional reporting while ensuring alignment with Title IX and conference policies.
Earlier in her career, Lake gained valuable experience in project management, marketing, and event coordination, including a 15-year tenure at Prudential Financial. This diverse professional background enhances her strategic approach to compliance, communication, and organizational leadership.
Lake is widely respected for her expertise in NCAA legislation, Title IX compliance, written communication, and inclusive leadership, and she remains committed to advancing integrity, education, and student-centered excellence within collegiate athletics.
