Kathy Twist Elevated to Senior Associate Athletic Director at Buffalo

BUFFALO, NY – Kathy Twist, who has spent the previous 16 years as the women's tennis head coach at the University at Buffalo has been elevated to the school's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration and Senior Woman Administrator, Director of Athletics Danny White has announced.

In her new role Twist will oversee coach development, gender equity, diversity and inclusion, NCAA certification as well as serving as the sport administrator for men's and women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, volleyball, rowing, softball and baseball.

"I am very proud to have been recognized by so many of my peers and our new administration to become the next SWA and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration to Danny White," Twist said. "I'd like to thank President Satish Tripathi and Danny White who approved me for this position. I believe that UB is at a very special place where we have an opportunity to continue to build a winning spirit for sport and academic achievements. In concert with the UB 2020 initiative, my foremost focus is the continuous improvement toward excellence, engagement and efficiency in serving our athletic department."

Twist has been at the UB since 1994 when she was hired as an assistant women's tennis coach. In 1995, she moved over to the men's tennis team, before being hired as the head coach of the women's program in 1996. Twist led the Bulls to their first postseason MAC Championship in 2008 and UB's first appearance in the NCAA tournament. With 136 career dual-match wins, she is the winningest coach in the program's history. 

"Kathy is a natural leader and the right choice for this position," White said. "She is a championship-winning coach and a veteran of the UB athletic department who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our leadership team. I expect this to be a smooth transition for Kathy and I look forward to working with her in this new role."

Twist takes over for Anucha Browne Sanders who has recently accepted a position as vice president of women's basketball championships with the NCAA.

Kristen Ortman, who has served on the staff since 2006, will assume head coaching duties on an interim basis.