Sept. 1, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - The Patriot League Council of Presidents approved a contract extension for Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich through June 2013, it was announced Tuesday.

"Patriot League member institutions are pleased with the League's academic and athletic achievements, the strong and open dialogue fostered among League members, and the League's increasingly higher profile," said Bucknell University President Brian C. Mitchell, outgoing chair of the Council of Presidents. "Carolyn continues to earn our confidence with her leadership and her commitment to the League's distinct principles of athletic and academic excellence, and we look forward to the League's continued progress under her direction."

Femovich has been the Patriot League Executive Director since 1999, and during her 10 years with the League, she has enhanced the League's competitive and geographic profile. Among the League's recent achievements under her direction include, strategic assessment and planning for the direction of the League, presidential outreach and engagement with potential new League members, strategies to increase competitiveness of key sports that present special opportunities to brand the League, enhancements to the League's multi-media and television package, and collaborations across the League outside of the realm of athletics.

"I am honored to continue to represent such a prestigious group of institutions, and I appreciate the support and confidence of the League's presidents and athletic administrators," said Femovich. "I look forward to working collaboratively to enhance the goals and visions of the League, while supporting the accomplishments of our scholar-athletes, both in the classroom and on the field of play. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding administrators, coaches, student-athletes and staff during my tenure at the Patriot League."

Entering its 20th year as an all-sport conference, the Patriot League continually demonstrates that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing its high standards. Its athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.

In the classroom, the institutions of the Patriot League consistently rank among the top Division I programs in the NCAA Graduation Rates Report. For the seventh-straight year, the Patriot League ranked first among all Division I conferences in student-athlete graduation rates according to the NCAA Graduation Rates report.