Penn State director of athletics Sandy Barbour received a contract extension Friday through August 2023 that will raise her salary to more than $1 million per year.
The Penn State Board of Trustees formally approved the contract extension and a new title for her: vice president of intercollegiate athletics.
Barbour said in December at the Citrus Bowl that she and Penn State president Eric Barron had reached agreement on a new contract and that she planned to finish her career at Penn State.
“I’ve told you all before that this is my last stop,” Barbour said in Florida. “Where would I want to go that’s a better opportunity, that’s a better fit for me than Penn State? This next contract will certainly help me do that.”
Barbour’s annual base salary was $700,000 under the terms of the old contact she received when she was hired in 2014. She also received an annual $100,000 retention bonus.
With the new contract, which is retroactive to July 2018, Barbour’s salary will range from $1.169 million for the current academic year to $1.369 million for 2022-23. She will no longer receive a retention bonus.
“Sandy has consistently promoted excellence in intercollegiate athletics, in academics and athletic competitions,” Barron said in a statement. “She is widely hailed among the best athletic directors in the nation. She is a powerful advocate for those who wear the blue and white.
“Her leadership has helped advance our shared vision of what intercollegiate athletics can be.”
The 59-year-old Barbour oversees an athletic department with about 800 student-athletes in 31 sports (16 men’s, 15 women’s), tied for fourth-most among all Football Bowl Subdivision institutions.
She served as director of athletics at California from 2004-14 before going to Penn State.
She also has been an administrator at Northwestern, Tulane and Notre Dame.
“I am very appreciative of President Barron’s and the Board of Trustees’ confidence in my leadership,” Barbour said in a statement, “and their steadfast belief in intercollegiate athletics as a powerful and positive influence on our institution and community.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to lead this program. I look forward to the great work that lies ahead on behalf of student-athlete development and success.”
Contact Rich Scarcella: 610-371-5070 or rscarcella@readingeagle.com.
