Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletic Communications


NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State Associate Athletics Director Ivana Rich has been selected to attend TopConnect AD 2021, a leadership symposium for aspiring Division I athletics directors sponsored by TEAMWORKS/#INFLCR.
 
The second annual symposium hosted by TopConnect, a subsidiary of Connected Media, LLC,
will be held virtually this Thursday and Friday. The 2021 program is headlined by Jeremy Foley, Athletics Director Emeritus at the University of Florida.
 
Rich recently completed her fifth full year with Norfolk State during the 2020-21 academic year. The Associate AD for Academic Support, she has led the academic enhancement office for the past four years. She serves as the department's diversity and inclusion officer as well.
 
TopConnect AD is designed for senior-level athletics administrators who are committed to taking the next step in their careers. Attendees will benefit from panels with current presidents of Division I institutions, NIL professionals Kevin Barefoot from TEAMWORKS/#INFLCR and legal expert Darren Heitner, and panels focused on translating moment into action and the A to Z of hiring a head coach.
 
TopConnect has revolutionized the connections within the world of collegiate athletics by connecting future leaders with current leaders through an educational forum. Initially launched more than 15 years ago as Villa 7, the TopConnect program has evolved into a valuable resource for coaches, athletics administrators and other industry leaders. Since TopConnect's launch in 2018, 14 attendees have been hired into their dream position as an athletics director, head men's basketball coach or head women's basketball coach.
 
TopConnect is sponsored by TEAMWORKS/#INFLCR and works in conjunction with East Tennessee State University's Doctoral Program in Global Sport Leadership.