BOSTON – Adrianna Smith has been appointed as a member of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Oversight Committee. She joins America East Commissioner Brad Walker, who is on the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, in helping to make decision for Division I men’s and women’s basketball.
"I'm grateful to have been chosen for this committee," said Smith. "I think it will be a great opportunity to work with other student-athletes and get their viewpoints and ideas and then be able to share them with this group. It's going to be a great way to get students-athletes' voices heard more in the NCAA. I'm very excited to be a part of this."
For her term of service, which will run from Dec. 1, 2025 through Aug. 31, 2026, Smith will join the prestigious 18 member committee. She will serve as one of only three student-athletes on the committee and earns the selection after previously being selected as chair of the Division I Women's Basketball Student-Athlete Engagement Group by her peers.
AE Commissioner Brad Walker, who was appointed to the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee in August of 2024, is excited to see Adrianna take on this leadership position.
“Adrianna has been a great representative for our conference on the court as our league’s Player of the Year and an America East Champion, but also off the court as a member of the of the Division I Student Engagement Group last year, said Walker. I’m thrilled she has an opportunity to take on this leadership position make a difference for the future of collegiate women’s basketball.”
Maine women’s basketball head coach Amy Vachon was also ecstatic about the opportunity for Smith.
"Adi continues to excel and be a leader, not only in our program on and off the court, but now at a national level," said Vachon. "Last year as a member of the Division I Student Engagement Group, Adi had a voice on key initiatives, legislation, and issues in our sport. Now, in her second year in the group, Adi has been selected by her peers to be the chair of this committee and as a result is a member of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Oversight Committee. This is a huge deal and a tremendous honor. Adi will be one of three student-athletes in NCAA Division I basketball with a seat at one of the most important tables in our sport. I cannot overstate what an incredible honor this is. Adi's hard work, determination, and willingness to speak up on important matters have always guided her and led our program. Now, she is doing it at the national level."
The Women's Basketball Oversight Committee ensures that appropriate oversight of women's basketball is maintained, works to enhance the development and public perception of the sport, and makes recommendations related to regular-season and postseason women's basketball. The committee prioritizes the enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience (academically and athletically) and, in doing so, promotes student-athletes' personal growth and leadership development.
The Women's Basketball Oversight Committee also supervises qualifications and/or selection procedures for the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship while also reviewing recommendations from the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee and processing other issues related to the administration of the championship. The committee will assume many of the duties of the former NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issues Committee and will provide direction to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Rules Committee regarding playing rules.
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
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