(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.) – Thomas More University Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
Cory Blackson has been selected to participate in the NCAA's 2026-27 Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for advancement to roles as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
Blackson is among 21 administrators selected from across the NCAA's three divisions (I, II, and III) and is one of only five participants representing Division II.
"I am honored to be selected for the NCAA Pathway Program and to represent NCAA Division II, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, and Thomas More University," said Blackson. "This opportunity is a meaningful step in my professional journey in intercollegiate athletics. I would like to thank President Chillo and Vice President and Director of Athletics
Terry Connor for providing me with professional opportunities that helped prepare me for selection into this program."
Blackson is entering his 19th year at Thomas More University and his 23rd year overall in intercollegiate athletics. He joined Thomas More in 2008 as Director of Athletic Communications and assumed additional responsibilities as Senior Athletic Compliance Officer in 2015. In 2018, he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Communications before transitioning full-time into his current compliance role in the summer of 2021.
In his current position, Blackson oversees the overall development, implementation, and evaluation of the University's athletics compliance program. His responsibilities include the daily administration of compliance operations, rules education and interpretation, NCAA reporting, and coordination of institutional compliance initiatives.
In addition to his campus responsibilities, Blackson serves on the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Eligibility Committee and is Vice Chair of the G-MAC Compliance Committee. He also previously served on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Committee from 2006 to 2021.
The Pathway Program, led by NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity for selected participants who work at an NCAA school or conference in Divisions I, II or III. It is designed to prepare high-potential administrators for executive-level leadership roles within intercollegiate athletics. During the year, the participants will be paired with and have regularly scheduled meetings with a campus or conference mentor. The mentors include directors of athletics, conference commissioners and school presidents, along with others in leadership roles.
Throughout the program, participants will engage in targeted leadership development curriculum focused on strategic planning, organizational leadership, resource generation, executive communication, hiring processes and stakeholder engagement. The experience includes structured mentorship with senior leaders such as athletics directors, conference commissioners and school presidents, providing personalized guidance and industry insight. Grounded in experiential learning, the program challenges participants to address current and emerging issues across the collegiate athletics landscape. This approach ensures they are not only prepared for the demands of executive leadership but also positioned to cultivate cultures of excellence within their organizations.
The 2026-27 cohort met from June 21-27 in Indianapolis at the NCAA headquarters for a weeklong education session. The program includes monthly zooms, assigned mentors, Fall programming back at the NCAA headquarters and concludes with a graduation at the 2027 NACDA Convention in Orlando, Florida.
"The Pathway Program remains a proven cornerstone of leadership development in college athletics," said
DeeDee Merritt, NCAA managing director of leadership development. "It equips senior-level administrators with the tools, insights and network to take the next step in their careers. We look forward to another year of growth and impact with the 2026-27 cohort."
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 300 program alumni, with nearly 30% of the graduates moving on to become athletics directors or conference commissioners. Additionally, more than 70% of the program alumni have received some level of promotion in relation to their title or job responsibilities.
The following have been selected for the 2026-27 NCAA Pathway Program:
- Rachel Acosta, Associate Athletic Director, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Jeremy Armstrong, Associate Athletic Director, The University of Texas
- Cory Blackson, Assistant Athletic Director, Thomas More University
- Spencer Bridges, Deputy Athletics Director, Southern Mississippi University
- Lauren Bryne-Dunn, Associate Commissioner/SWA, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
- Tatum Colutz, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA, Seton Hall University
- Liz Dennison, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
- Jessica Goerke, Deputy Athletics Director, University of San Diego
- Malcum Grace, Deputy Athletics Director, George Mason University
- Rob Heil, Senior Associate Athletics Director, Kansas State University
- Alex Keddie, Senior Associate Athletics Director, East Carolina University
- Nancy Lake, Associate Athletic Director, Elizabeth City State University
- Chevonne Mansfield, Executive Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Howard University
- Dr. Ronald Moses, Deputy Athletic Director, Old Dominion University
- Merce Poindexter, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Valparaiso University
- J.R. Pulido, Senior Associate Athletic Director, University of Incarnate Word
- Ronda Varnesdeel, Associate Athletic Director/SWA, Davenport University
- Lisa Varytimidis, Deputy Director of Athletics, University of Maryland Eastern Shores
- Derek Viveiros, Assistant Director of Athletics & Recreation, Bridgwater State University
- Crystal Westphal, Senior Associate Athletics Director, University of Central Missouri
- Dr. Jolissa Williams, Interim VP for Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation, Bowie State University
