Women ADs Rising: Now 15% of New Jersey High Schools

When Cynthia Wilks was a three-sport athlete at Bridgeton High School in the late 1990s, she told her female athletic director exactly what she wanted to become. Today, she's in her 15th year as AD at that same school, the only female athletic director in the entire 22-school Cape Atlantic League.

Her journey reflects a quiet revolution happening across New Jersey high schools. Out of 406 schools surveyed, 61 now have female athletic directors, a significant jump from the 1960s when Madeline Tracy became believed to be the first woman to hold the position in the state.

The numbers tell a story of steady progress. The Hudson County Interscholastic League leads with 31% female representation, while the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference has seven women ADs. Nationally, women now hold 22% of athletic director positions, nearly double the 13% in 2003.

But the path hasn't been easy. Jenn Badami from Sayreville recalls interview questions that male candidates rarely face: "Are you going to have enough time to do this job?" She now balances the demanding role while raising freshman twins with her spouse, also a teacher and coach.

The job requires more than passion for sports. Athletic directors manage budgets, coordinate transportation, supervise coaches, monitor student eligibility, and handle everything from practice schedules to fan sportsmanship. Most positions require a teaching certificate, master's degree, and supervisory certification.

Why This Inspires

These women aren't just filling positions. They're reshaping what's possible for the students watching them. Wilks visits elementary schools for career days with one clear message: "If you see it, you can be it."

June Cioffi, who became one of South Jersey's first female ADs 24 years ago at Kingsway Regional, emphasizes the commitment required. "You have to really have a passion for it," she said, noting how the role revolves around other people's children.

The old boys' club is shrinking, one hire at a time. Laura Palmerezzi just started at Morris Knolls in December, joining Claire Herman at Morris Hills and Mount Olive's Colleen Suflay among the growing ranks.

More than 50 years after Title IX prohibited sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, these athletic directors represent the legislation's ripple effects. They're not just managing sports programs but proving that barriers exist to be broken.

Every elementary school student who sees Wilks or Badami leading their athletic department learns a powerful lesson: your gender doesn't determine your ceiling, your determination does.