Dec. 11, 2006

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Associate Athletic Director Deanna D'Abbraccio has resigned her position to accept the post of athletic director at Mount Mary College, UWM Athletic Director Bud Haidet announced today.

D'Abbraccio has been a member of the UWM athletic staff since 1989 and was promoted to associate athletic director in 2000.

"Deanna has played a significant role in the growth and success of our athletic program during her tenure at UWM," Haidet said. "The position of athletic director at Mount Mary is a great opportunity for her and we wish her great success as she helps that athletic program grow."

Mount Mary is a four-year, women's liberal arts college located on Milwaukee's northwest side. The school currently offers five sports and has been granted provisional membership for NCAA Division III competition. Plus, the school recently opened a new recreation and athletics facility on campus.

"It's been a pleasure to be a part of the growth and successes of UWM athletics over the past 16 years," D'Abbraccio said. "I will truly miss our outstanding student-athletes and staff and the many friends and colleagues on campus with whom I've had the privilege of working. The opening of the Pavilion last January was a highlight of my tenure, as was the graduation of our student-athletes. I look forward to the new challenge of becoming the director of athletics at Mount Mary College."

D'Abbraccio originally joined the staff in Milwaukee as the NCAA compliance coordinator and academic advisor. She became an assistant athletic director and the Senior Woman Administrator in 1996 before becoming associate athletic director in 2000. Her areas of responsibilities at UWM included sport supervision, academic enhancement, student-athlete welfare and CHAMPS/Life Skills, as well as the strength and conditioning and sports medicine programs. She also helped coordinate the Klotsche Center addition project, with the Pavilion opening in January of 2006.

D'Abbraccio served as an administrative liaison for various sports committees within the Horizon League and worked as tournament director for a number of Horizon League Championships held at UWM.

Nationally, she has been a member of the NCAA national advisory committee for the CHAMPS/Life Skills program and a member of two Division I NCAA certification peer review teams. She has contributed to the programming of the NCAA regional rules compliance seminars and has been a site representative for the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament.