Judy Rose, a trailblazer in her field who helped elevate the Charlotte 49ers to great heights during her longtime career, will be one of eight athletic directors inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) at the organization’s 54th annual convention, June 12.
Rose joins fellow inductees Bob Bonn, Carthage College; Peg Bradley-Doppes, University of Denver; Don DiJulia, Saint Joseph's University; Gene Doris, Fairfield University; Jim Forkum, Santa Rosa Junior College; Jack McDonald, Quinnipiac University; and Bruce Parker, Rocky Mountain College.
Rose retired from UNC Charlotte on June 30, 2018, after a 43-year career that included 28 years as director of athletics. She was just the third female to lead a Division I program at the time of her appointment. In 1999-2000, she became the first female to serve on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee and completed a five-year term. She was the third female to serve as NACDA president in 2003-04.
During her tenure, Rose oversaw systematic growth within the 49ers Athletics Department that culminated with the unveiling of the Charlotte 49ers football program in 2013. That football program spent two years as an FCS independent before taking the fast track to the FBS as a member of Conference USA. It should be noted that the 49ers received an invitation to join C-USA in 2012, before the program had held its first football practice. The football field house was named the Judy Rose Football Center in her honor by benefactor Dale Halton.
Rose was named AD emerita at the University in May 2018. Read more about her legendary career at UNC Charlotte.