The Southern Conference Names Molly Bachand Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Finance
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced today the hiring of Molly E. Bachand as Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Finance. Bachand brings more than 15 years of comprehensive experience in collegiate athletics administration, with particular expertise in budget management, operations oversight, and strategic planning.
"We are pleased to welcome Molly to The Southern Conference team," said Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross, "Her extensive background in athletic administration, combined with her proven track record of managing complex budgets and operations, makes her an ideal addition to our leadership team. Molly's experience spans multiple levels of Division I athletics, and her collaborative approach will be invaluable as we continue to support our member institutions."
Bachand joins the SoCon after serving as Director of Men's Basketball Administration at Coastal Carolina University since June 2024, where she managed comprehensive administrative responsibilities including budget oversight, travel coordination, and program operations. Prior to her role at Coastal Carolina, she spent three years as Director of Men's Basketball Operations at Western Carolina University, where she successfully managed operating and development budgets while serving as a liaison between multiple departments.
Her career includes significant experience at Wake Forest University, where she served as Director of Equipment Services for Basketball from 2016-2020, and at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she progressed from Assistant Equipment Manager to Director of Equipment Operations, ultimately managing a $300,000 budget across 18 varsity sports.
"I am excited to begin this new chapter at The Southern Conference; I am very thankful to my former colleagues across multiple campuses who have helped guide me to get to this point in my career,” said Bachand, “I look forward to contributing to the continued success of such a prestigious conference and collaborating with the outstanding conference office team. The opportunity to work at the conference level and support our member institutions in achieving their goals and continuing to build our It's All Here mission is something I am very grateful for."
Bachand holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Sports and Fitness Management from the University of Kansas, where she also gained valuable experience as a student manager for the men's basketball program.
Throughout her career, Bachand has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to streamline processes while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Her experience spans budget management, travel coordination, compliance oversight, vendor relations, and staff supervision.
In her new role, Bachand will be responsible for overseeing administrative and financial operations for the SoCon, working closely with member institutions to ensure efficient and effective conference operations.
The Southern Conference, founded in 1921, is among the nation's oldest collegiate athletic conferences. The league sponsors 20 championship sports and consists of 10 member institutions throughout the Southeast.