The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has gained significant institutional expertise with the appointment of two seasoned athletics administrators. Marvin Lewis, Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at George Mason University, and Ashleigh Simmons, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student Success at Western Carolina University, have been named to this influential committee effective May 27, 2025. Their appointments represent a strategic move to enhance the governance and development of women’s college basketball at a time of unprecedented growth in the sport.
NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee
Committee role and appointments
While most basketball fans recognize the committee for its highly visible role in selection, seeding, and bracketing teams for the annual NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, its responsibilities extend far beyond March Madness. The committee shapes the sport through rules development, championship administration, budget oversight, strategic planning, and crucial player development initiatives.
Lewis and Simmons will fill positions previously held by Jill Bodensteiner of Saint Joseph’s and Alex Gary of Western Carolina, respectively. Their terms will run through August 31, 2027, providing continuity to the committee’s important work within Division I athletics.
Committee appointments follow a rigorous process, with nominations coming from multisport conference offices and careful evaluation of candidates’ experience in athletics administration, contributions to college sports, and commitment to the NCAA’s overarching mission.
Backgrounds of new appointees
Marvin Lewis brings impressive credentials to his new role. Before joining George Mason, he served in senior positions at Brown, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Georgia State. As a former two-time captain of Georgia Tech’s basketball team who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national title game, Lewis combines athletic experience with administrative expertise. His financial background as a licensed CPA with a master’s in taxation from Georgia State makes him particularly valuable for the committee’s budgetary responsibilities.
Ashleigh Simmons complements the committee with her strong background in student-athlete success. As a former women’s basketball standout at the University of Louisiana Monroe, where she earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and served as team captain for two years, Simmons understands the student-athlete experience firsthand. Her administrative career includes significant compliance and Senior Woman Administrator roles, providing valuable perspective on regulatory matters.
Shaping the future of the sport
Impact on women’s college basketball
In his official statement, Lewis highlighted the “exciting and transformative time for women’s basketball,” noting unprecedented growth in attendance, media coverage, and national interest. This growth puts the committee’s work in the spotlight as they guide the sport through a period of expansion and increased visibility in women’s college basketball.
Simmons expressed similar sentiments, describing the opportunity to impact the game as “incredibly humbling” and emphasizing her dedication to advancing women’s basketball. Her experience with student-athlete welfare positions her to contribute meaningfully to development initiatives that extend beyond competition.
Committee composition
Lewis and Simmons join a diverse 12-member committee chaired by Amanda Braun, Director of Athletics at Milwaukee. Other members include representatives from Yale, Brigham Young, Central Michigan, Louisville, San Jose State, Missouri Valley Conference, Maryland, Vanderbilt, and Villanova, ensuring a broad range of perspectives in committee deliberations.
This carefully balanced committee collaborates closely with Penny Davis, the NCAA’s national coordinator of women’s basketball officiating, to maintain the integrity of tournament play. The typical three-year term for committee members allows for a productive mix of institutional knowledge and fresh viewpoints.
With their combined expertise in financial management, student-athlete success, and athletics administration, Lewis and Simmons are positioned to make significant contributions to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee at a pivotal moment in the sport’s history.
William covers the sports world with passion and precision — from transfer rumors to game-changing performances. With a sharp eye for trends and a love for bold storytelling, he brings fans closer to the action, one article at a time.
- Paolo Banchero’s $287 million contract includes a clause that changes everything for Orlando - July 10, 2025
- Mike Brown’s $40 million Knicks deal will change how 8 players perform this season - July 10, 2025
- Michigan State legend’s son picks Michigan over his father’s championship team - July 10, 2025
