SOUTHERN CONFERENCE NAMES ANNA BRINKMAN AS SENIOR WOMAN ADMINISTRATOR

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross announced today that Anna Brinkman has been promoted to Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), effective immediately, and is the youngest SWA among Division I conferences. Brinkman most recently served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the conference since July 2024.

"Anna has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep understanding of collegiate athletics during her time with the Southern Conference," said Cross. "As we considered the rapid evolution of college athletics and the important responsibilities the SWA has in college athletics, her experience both on campus and in the conference office were notable.  Anna’s day-to-day responsibilities in communications, sports information, and student-athlete development allowed her to emerge as the ideal person to serve as our Senior Woman Administrator."

As SWA, Brinkman will play a critical role in promoting women's athletics programs across the conference and will have day-to-day oversight and championships management for select sports including volleyball, women’s basketball and softball.

Brinkman joined the Southern Conference in July 2023 and advanced quickly to Assistant Director of Communications. In this role, she was the primary communications point of contact for half of SoCon’s sports, managed the conference's awards processes for 10 different sports and academic honors, and maintained comprehensive records.

Prior to joining the Southern Conference, Brinkman gained valuable experience as an intern and statistician with Furman University's Sports Information Department from 2015 through 2023, where she covered many varied programs and worked three NCAA Basketball Tournaments (2017, 2022, 2023).

A 2023 graduate of Furman with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science, Brinkman received multiple honors during her academic career, including the Harry B. Shucker Integrity Award and recognition for excellence in peer mentorship.

The Southern Conference, founded in 1921, is one of the nation's oldest collegiate athletic associations. The conference is comprised of ten member institutions across the southeastern United States, competing in 20 varsity sports.