Northwestern University Athletics
Barracato Joins Wildcats As Deputy A.D.
7/10/2019 4:28:00 PM | General
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Deneé Barracato has been named Northwestern University's Deputy Director of Athletics for Operations & Capital Projects, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips announced Wednesday.
"We are elated to welcome Deneé, Michael and their family into our Northwestern community," said Phillips. "She has a diverse range of experiences across athletic administration, including the ultimate responsibility of leading a department, and her experience as a student-athlete will undoubtedly inform her service of our young men and women. Many of the areas Deneé will oversee have been transformed in recent years, and her leadership will ensure continued evolution as we work each day to deliver a world-class experience for our Wildcats."
Identified through a comprehensive, national search, Barracato joins the Wildcats after three years as the Director of Athletics & Recreation at York College (NY), leading the Cardinals' 17 varsity programs in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) as well as all campus recreation efforts.
"I'm thankful to Jim Phillips, President Schapiro and the executive leadership team for the opportunity to join a world-class organization," Barracato said. "My family and I are extremely excited to join the Wildcats family. Northwestern has a culture committed to operating with integrity and grit, a strong sense of community, and competitive success at the highest level, and I look forward to contributing to its tradition of excellence. I will forever be grateful to the 'Greatest Urban University in the World', CUNY, for the opportunity to be a part of two wonderful institutions in Queens College and York College that work diligently to fulfill its founding principles of academic excellence, scholarship, and an opportunity for all to excel in their academic and athletic pursuits."
Barracato's York tenure followed a four-year stint as the Associate A.D for Finance & Administration at Queens College where she was responsible for the oversight of financial affairs, business operations, human resources and external relations, and worked as a sport administrator for eight programs. Prior to her time at Queens, she served as a Director of Partnership Strategy for the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and managed the strategic development, brand activation and partner marketing for MSG's integrated sports, media and entertainment partnerships.
"Ms. Barracato has added great value to the life of athletics and beyond at York College/CUNY," said Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, president of York College/CUNY. "She came to us at a time when we needed someone with the leadership and discipline that matched our aspiration for our student-athletes. Ms. Barracato elevated the culture of academic achievement and athletics in keeping with the core values of the NCAA Division III and our Cardinal teams will miss her tenacious spirit. York College's loss is Northwestern University's gain. We wish Ms. Barracato and family only good things ."
A four-year basketball letterwinner at Hofstra University, Barracato led Division I Women's Basketball in steals and earned America East All-Conference honors during her junior season. Following graduation, she played professionally in the Women's Professional League in Puerto Rico for The Saints of San Juan, as well as with the National Women's Basketball League as a member of the Atlanta Justice.
With her playing career concluded, she began a career in athletic administration at Adelphi University, eventually rising to Assistant A.D./Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for the Panthers. She then became Associate Director of Division I Women's Basketball at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In Indianapolis, Barracato was a liaison to the Division I Women's Basketball Committee and championship hosts sites, assisting with the planning and execution of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship and Women's Final Four.
In addition to her undergraduate degree from Hofstra, she earned a Master's degree in Sports Management/Exercise Science from Adelphi University and also has served as an adjunct professor and instructor at both Adelphi and St. John's University in the area of Sports Administration.
Barracato joins the Northwestern family along with her husband, Michael, and their three children. She replaces Brian Baptiste, who was introduced in June as LaSalle University's new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation.
"We are elated to welcome Deneé, Michael and their family into our Northwestern community," said Phillips. "She has a diverse range of experiences across athletic administration, including the ultimate responsibility of leading a department, and her experience as a student-athlete will undoubtedly inform her service of our young men and women. Many of the areas Deneé will oversee have been transformed in recent years, and her leadership will ensure continued evolution as we work each day to deliver a world-class experience for our Wildcats."
Identified through a comprehensive, national search, Barracato joins the Wildcats after three years as the Director of Athletics & Recreation at York College (NY), leading the Cardinals' 17 varsity programs in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) as well as all campus recreation efforts.
"I'm thankful to Jim Phillips, President Schapiro and the executive leadership team for the opportunity to join a world-class organization," Barracato said. "My family and I are extremely excited to join the Wildcats family. Northwestern has a culture committed to operating with integrity and grit, a strong sense of community, and competitive success at the highest level, and I look forward to contributing to its tradition of excellence. I will forever be grateful to the 'Greatest Urban University in the World', CUNY, for the opportunity to be a part of two wonderful institutions in Queens College and York College that work diligently to fulfill its founding principles of academic excellence, scholarship, and an opportunity for all to excel in their academic and athletic pursuits."
Barracato's York tenure followed a four-year stint as the Associate A.D for Finance & Administration at Queens College where she was responsible for the oversight of financial affairs, business operations, human resources and external relations, and worked as a sport administrator for eight programs. Prior to her time at Queens, she served as a Director of Partnership Strategy for the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and managed the strategic development, brand activation and partner marketing for MSG's integrated sports, media and entertainment partnerships.
"Ms. Barracato has added great value to the life of athletics and beyond at York College/CUNY," said Dr. Marcia V. Keizs, president of York College/CUNY. "She came to us at a time when we needed someone with the leadership and discipline that matched our aspiration for our student-athletes. Ms. Barracato elevated the culture of academic achievement and athletics in keeping with the core values of the NCAA Division III and our Cardinal teams will miss her tenacious spirit. York College's loss is Northwestern University's gain. We wish Ms. Barracato and family only good things ."
A four-year basketball letterwinner at Hofstra University, Barracato led Division I Women's Basketball in steals and earned America East All-Conference honors during her junior season. Following graduation, she played professionally in the Women's Professional League in Puerto Rico for The Saints of San Juan, as well as with the National Women's Basketball League as a member of the Atlanta Justice.
With her playing career concluded, she began a career in athletic administration at Adelphi University, eventually rising to Assistant A.D./Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for the Panthers. She then became Associate Director of Division I Women's Basketball at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In Indianapolis, Barracato was a liaison to the Division I Women's Basketball Committee and championship hosts sites, assisting with the planning and execution of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship and Women's Final Four.
In addition to her undergraduate degree from Hofstra, she earned a Master's degree in Sports Management/Exercise Science from Adelphi University and also has served as an adjunct professor and instructor at both Adelphi and St. John's University in the area of Sports Administration.
Barracato joins the Northwestern family along with her husband, Michael, and their three children. She replaces Brian Baptiste, who was introduced in June as LaSalle University's new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation.
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