Bio

Patricia Thomas was appointed University of the District of Columbia Director of Athletics in December 2008. Among the 9% women of color Athletic Directors at NCAA member institutions, she is the first female athletic director at UDC. The percentage of female Athletic Directors at NCAA member institutions is 24%.

Thomas oversees all operations for the Firebird’s ten NCAA Division II programs and in 2011 guided the university into the East Coast Conference, the university’s first-ever NCAA conference affiliation. With over 30 years of prior experience, Patricia has served on numerous committees throughout her career including the Division I Management Council, Division I Championships and Competition Cabinet, Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports, NCAA Division II Management Council (representing Independent institutions), NCAA men’s lacrosse rules committee, Honda Awards Committee, NACDA Executive Committee, Director’s Cup Committee, Big East Conference Executive Committee and recently served the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee as East Region Chair.

While at the helm of UDC athletics, Thomas has hired seasoned, dedicated administrative and coaching staff and has instituted key components to enhance the student-athlete experience and the Firebird brand. On-campus Sports Complex appearance has dramatically improved under her leadership, while enhanced facilities remain a priority. In late fall, 2019 the University completed a $1.2 million dollar gymnasium renovation and completed a $2 million complete rebuild of the University’s tennis courts in spring 2021. A $4 million turf field project is scheduled for completion in 2022 as well as a state-of-the-art eSports suite. The Firebirds will begin competing in the ECC eSports league beginning in Fall, 2022. Branding platforms including the Firebird Sports Nation television show, implementation of the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, the launching of Firebirds Forever Booster Club are among strategic goals accomplished during Patricia’s tenure.

Student-athlete academic success is a priority; the overall GPA for student-athletes is above 3.0 and the graduation rate for student-athletes has increased since Patricia’s arrival. The Firebirds have won 6 East Coast Conference Championships, have realized NCAA Championship experience in men’s and women’s basketball, women’s track & field, women’s tennis, and men’s soccer. The Firebirds continue to embrace community engagement through local outreach and national outreach in support of Make-A-Wish and Go For the Goal, as well as hosting social justice forums.