Carol Sprague was a former women’s sport standout at Slippery Rock University and longtime collegiate athletic administrator.
Sprague, who is currently senior associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator at the University of Pittsburgh, has been at the forefront of many initiatives and positive developments during three decades of service at the school.
In her role as senior associate AD, Sprague is responsible for capital project management and facilities and event operations management. She also serves as sport administrator for women’s basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling.
Sprague was the athletic department’s project manager during the planning and construction of the Petersen Events Center. She was also instrumental in the planning and construction of new locker rooms, training rooms and an equipment complex in Fitzgerald Field House and oversaw the department’s move from Pitt Stadium to Petersen Events Center.
On the national level, Sprague completed five years of service on the prestigious NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee in 2004 and in June 2010 was elected to serve on the Executive Board of the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA).
In 2007, Sprague received the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s “Administrator of the Year” award for her contributions to the development and advancement of women’s basketball. She was instrumental in Pitt’s selection to host first- and second-round games of the 2010 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Sprague has also served on the NCAA Management Council, NCAA Council, NCAA Administrative Committee, NCAA Administrative Review Committee and the NCAA Playing and Practice Sessions Committee, as well as having extensive experience on various Big East Conference administrative and sports committees.
Sprague began her career at Pitt in 1974 as an assistant swimming coach. Since that time, she has held a variety of positions including coordinator of student affairs for student athletes, assistant athletics director for women’s sports and associate AD for non-revenue sports.
A three-year member of The Rock women’s swimming team and national-championship qualifier during her undergraduate career at Slippery Rock, Sprague earned her bachelor’s degree from The Rock in 1971 and a Master of Science degree in 1974. She also played one season of women’s basketball at The Rock.
Following her collegiate career, Sprague enjoyed a successful 22-year career with the Pittsburgh Debs women’s open division softball team. As a player, she was a member of two United States Slo-Pitch Softball Association world championship teams. She later led the Debs to five national top-20 finishes.
Sprague was inducted into the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and was the 1993 recipient of the Women in Sports Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. In 1999, Sprague was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
