NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - Smith College has announced that
Lynn Oberbillig will resign as Director of Athletics and Recreation, effective July 1, 2015, and will transition to the College's Exercise and Sports Studies (ESS) Department as a full-time lecturer.
Oberbillig has been a part of the ESS Department since taking over as the Director of Athletics in 1993, and has mentored countless graduate students, advised for thesis, taught classes, designed new courses and recruited prospective students for the program. In her new role as a full-time lecturer starting in the Fall of 2015, she will serve as the Director of the ESS Graduate Program. She will continue to help recruit prospective graduate students and will have the opportunity to teach both undergraduate and graduate level courses for the department.
"I am so grateful to Lynn (Oberbillig) for her many years of dedicated service to Smith Athletics," said Dean of the College and Vice President of Campus Life Donna Lisker. "She's been a tireless advocate for the benefits and importance of athletics and recreation, and I am glad she will still be with us in ESS, training the next generation of coaches. We are launching a nationwide search for her successor and look forward to continued growth and excellence in Smith Athletics."
In her 22-year career as Director of Athletics, Oberbillig has overseen an unprecedented period of growth for Smith's Athletic Department, as her accomplishments include planning and managing extensive renovations to the College's athletic facilities and fields. It was Oberbillig's vision and drive that brought the $4 million Olin Fitness Center to fruition. She has also overseen the addition of artificial turf and competition-level lights to Smith's field hockey/lacrosse field, the construction of new squash courts, the renovation of the equestrian center, the renovation of Smith's Indoor Track and Tennis facility, the resurfacing of the outdoor tennis courts and the track, and was instrumental in the creation of the Smith College Pioneers Hall of Fame.
During her tenure at Smith, the Pioneers have participated in a variety of national and regional championships and have earned the highest recognition for teams and individual athletes. Under her guidance, Smith has won 16 conference championships and six Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships.
Oberbillig chaired the NCAA Division III Management Council for two years, presiding over the Division III business session. In 1996, Oberbillig began a five-year run on the Women's Rowing Committee, helping to establish one championship that all three divisions compete at. She was then appointed to chair the inaugural Division III Women's Rowing Committee from 2001 until 2003, and followed that with an appointment to the Softball Rules Committee in 2004. She served on the Softball Rules Committee for five years, chairing the committee for two of those years. She also served on the Association-wide Committee on Women's Athletics, the Division III Championships Committee and was the President of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference for two years. In 2011, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) recognized Oberbillig as the Katherine Ley Award recipient, given annually to an eastern woman athletics administrator who exemplifies the values and characteristics displayed by the award's namesake. She currently serves on the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, a committee that holds final approval of all rules changes.
Oberbillig played both softball and basketball at the University of Iowa from 1975-78, leading the Hawkeyes in field goal percentage during the 1975-76 season and free throw percentage during her senior season.
She earned a B.A. in Social Studies Education and a M.A. in Athletic Administration while at the University of Iowa before earning an M.B.A. from Nicholls State University, where she spent ten years as the head softball coach. Oberbillig compiled a 310-225 overall record and took the Colonels to the national tournament in just her second season.
