SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference has hired Terri Brne as a senior associate commissioner, effective June 6, Commissioner Jim Schaus announced Wednesday.
 
In that role, Brne (pronounced BER-nee) will serve as the conference’s senior woman administrator and will have day-to-day oversight and championships management for select sports. Brne will also be the SoCon’s chief business officer, overseeing financial and transactional business strategies.
 
“I am truly excited and honored to be joining the Southern Conference,” Brne said. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity provided by Commissioner Schaus and (SoCon Senior Associate Commissioner) Geoff Cabe. I am anxious to begin work and be a part of this conference rich with history and tradition. I look forward to collaborating with the coaches, administrators, and staff of the Southern Conference.”
 
Brne brings with her more than 25 years of experience in Division I athletics as a senior administrator, coach, and mentor. 
 
She previously served as the Senior Associate Director for Athletics Operations at UNC Asheville from 2006 to 2021. There, she served as the Bulldogs’ SWA and as the primary advisor and liaison to the director of athletics. Brne also supervised all department day-to-day operations, human resources, and personnel management, and oversaw the business office, facility, and operations staffs. She was also the advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Council for several years.
 
Brne was responsible for supervising and implementing all home event game-day operations and served as tournament director for all on-campus postseason events.
 
Brne created and implemented all COVID protocols for the 300-plus individuals within the UNC Asheville Department of Athletics, in addition to creating the visiting team and fan protocols for the department. She also played a lead role in the creation and implementation of the department’s Gender Equity and Diversity Plans and UNC Asheville’s Diversity and Inclusion Team.
 
Brne held several leadership positions within the Big South Conference, including serving as the SWA chair and on the Strategic Planning Committee. She was also the chair of several conference sport committees. Nationally, Brne served on the NCAA Administration Cabinet and Nominating Committee.
 
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Brne earned her undergraduate degree from Illinois State in 1990 and a master’s in education from Tarleton State in 1992.
 
“Terri brings a wealth of experience, talent and passion to this position,” Schaus said. “She will instantly relate well to our member schools due to her extensive, varied and successful background as a senior collegiate athletic administrator on campus. I’m excited about what she will be bring to our conference for years to come.”

Brne will replace longtime SoCon Associate Commissioner Sue Arakas, who is retiring at the end of May.
 
TRANSACTION: The Southern Conference has hired Terri Brne as a senior associate commissioner, effective June 6.