On a separate path Former associate AD reflects on her time at UWM

For the past 17 years, Deanna D’Abbraccio saw the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee athletic program grow into its own. D’Abbraccio left her position as the associate athletic director at UWM to become the athletic director at the all-women’s private school, Mount Mary College located in Milwaukee. Staff writer Tim Elliott sat down with D’Abbraccio to discuss her storied tenure here at UWM.

Q: Describe your time here at UWM.
A: My tenure at UWM was a great experience from many perspectives both professionally and personally. To be a part of the growth of an athletics program from 1989 until 2006 was tremendous — the excitement of winning league championships and NCAA Tournament appearances and the academic excellence of the student-athletes. UWM has a very special coaching staff that understands the balance between academics, athletics and success in both areas. I have great admiration for the coaches, the athletic trainers and the student-athletes.

Q: Why did you decide to take the Athletic Director position at Mt. Mary? A: Mount Mary presented some interesting challenges for me. It's a program that needs some major revamping and when they called me about the position, I thought it was something I would enjoy. I have had a goal of becoming a director of athletics and that would not have been possible at UW-Milwaukee.

Q: What did you like most about your position as associate athletic director at UWM? A: There are so many things that I enjoyed about my position as associate athletic director at UWM. The interaction with student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, staff and colleagues across campus was very special to me. Also, to be a part of the successes as well as the struggles was very rewarding. I really loved my job at UWM.

Q: What has the transition been like moving from UWM to Mt. Mary? A: Certainly the environment from a large state school like UWM and the small, private, all-women's college like Mount Mary is very different. The supportive environment and the empowerment of women is a primary goal at Mount Mary and that has been very refreshing for me personally.

Q: Do you miss being a part of UWM? A: I miss the athletic atmosphere of UWM and the men student-athletes. I certainly miss the coaching staff and the support staff with whom I had the pleasure of working over the past years. I miss all the student-athletes that I helped in different ways.

Q: How did the recent success of the basketball teams affect the athletic department during your time at UWM? A: Certainly the successes of the UWM basketball teams have been a tremendous positive influence on UWM athletics and the entire campus. Anytime there is national exposure through the NCAA Tournament appearances, the visibility of an institution is raised. Bo Ryan and Sandy Botham got things going and when Bruce Pearl and Nancy Zimpher teamed up with their enthusiasm, UWM gained tremendous credibility in the athletic arena.

Q: How much does your position at Mount Mary differ from the position you held at UWM? A: The position at Mount Mary College has many similarities to the position at UWM. I still support the student-athlete in their goals — academically and athletically, although Mount Mary students have increased financial responsibilities. Just as I helped develop policy at UWM, I will be doing much of that at Mount Mary. There is a staff at Mount Mary that reports to me, just as I had staff at UWM reporting to me. Just like at UWM, I'm dealing with a new facility at Mount Mary and am responsible for programming the many demands of having one facility. Mount Mary has financial challenges just like UWM athletics. Here I have the opportunity to be part of the solutions on issues.

Q: What would you like the UWM community to know about your decision to take the job at Mt. Mary? A: I would like the UWM community to know that I loved my job at UWM. It was very special to me. My decision to take the job at Mount Mary was about working in a supportive environment and with people who understand and respect what I can contribute to an athletics program.

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