ATLANTA (March 10, 2026) — Kristin Hughes, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Smith College, is the 2026 WBCA Administrator of the Year, announced today by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
The WBCA Administrator of the Year award is presented annually to an administrator, athletic director, associate or assistant athletic director, or senior woman administrator who has excelled at encouraging the growth and quality of women's basketball programs and women's athletic programs overall. The candidate also must have served as a professional role model for student-athletes. Hughes is just the second Division III administrator to receive the award, the last being Rochester's Dr. Joyce Wong in 1988.
"Kristin Hughes has demonstrated her commitment to women's basketball coaches and student-athletes throughout her career. A coach at heart, Kristin has steadily expanded her influence — both locally at Smith College and nationally as a trusted leader. Kristin continues to implement thoughtful student-athlete-focused solutions every chance she gets. The WBCA family of coaches salutes Kristin for her wisdom, influence, and efforts to lift the sport."
Hughes was appointed to her current position at Smith College in July 2015 after serving eight years as director of athletics for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Before moving into athletics administration, Hughes served as head women's basketball coach at both Case Western University (1993-2004) and Colgate University (2004-07). Hughes has served on the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee since 2023. Committee members elected her their chairperson for the 2025-26 season.
Hughes was previously named NACDA Athletics Director of the Year in 2024 and Women Leaders in College Sports Division III Nike Executive of the Year in 2023.
"We could not be more excited to see the WBCA recognize the tireless efforts, vision, and passion that have guided the growth of women's basketball under our leader at Smith," said head basketball coach Lynn Hersey. "Kristin has not only established our program as a national contender, but has also brought renewed attention to the rich history of the game - amplifying the voices of those who came before while revitalizing the connection of the birthplace of women's basketball to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. In her role as the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Chair, she has dedicated countless hours to elevating the championship experience for all student-athletes, focusing on the details that center around the players to provide a March Madness experience that is truly a meaningful and memorable event for all involved. Kristin is only the second Division III administrator to receive this honor in the award's forty-year history, acknowledging influential leaders in our game. Thank you to the WBCA for recognizing what we have the privilege of witnessing at Smith every day."
"This truly is a special honor, and I want to thank the WBCA, who has been promoting and elevating the women's game long before it was popular to do so," said Hughes. "Being the Birthplace of Women's Basketball, I am so proud to represent Smith College and share this recognition with some incredibly talented coaches and student-athletes who I have the privilege of sharing this great gift of sport with every day."
The WBCA Administrator of the Year award was first presented in 1985.
Visit WBCA.org to see a list of past recipients.
About the WBCA
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. Founded in 1981, the WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 20 sports.