New Big Sky commissioner faces immediate challenges

New Big Sky Conference commissioner Andrea Williams will count on her “transformational and collaborative” management style to carry the league forward, she said Tuesday.

“It will be important to get everybody involved in the growth of the Big Sky,” Williams said during a wide-ranging telephone interview.

The 41-year-old Williams, an associate athletic director with the Big Ten Conference, also said she’ll be “leaning heavily” on the conference staff and member schools when she takes over for Doug Fullerton on July 1.

Williams faces several challenges when she arrives at conference headquarters in Ogden, Utah, especially the changing landscape of college football.

She said the return of Idaho as a football-playing member in 2018 is “significant,” but she also could offer only sympathy for Football Championship Subdivision schools who are getting fewer opportunities to play lucrative games against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Williams, who’s in charge of football and basketball operations in the Big Ten – the only FBS conference that has stopped scheduling FCS opponents – said larger schools need to be “strategic” in their scheduling.

“It’s their prerogative,” Williams said.

However, Williams had done her homework; she noted that the Big Sky had notched three wins over FBS schools last year. “You’re seeing victories happen, you’re seeing competitive matchups happen and that’s important,” she said.

Regarding the possibility of splitting into two divisions for football – the conference would grow to 14 with the addition of Idaho – Williams said she’s well-versed in the politics involved.

She noted that the Big Ten has added three schools in the past five years and split into divisions.

Asked what declining basketball attendance, she pointed out that college sports are merely one form of “entertainment,” and face more competition from other media, including handheld devices.

Without going into specifics, Williams said the conference needs to think outside the box in “creating unique events in non-traditional venues.”

Scott Wyatt, the president of Southern Utah University and the chairman of the President’s Council that hired Williams, said the job attracted “dozens” of applicants from around the country, including current conference commissioners, associate commissioners, athletic directors and others.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Andrea has accepted the position,” said Wyatt, who cited Williams’ experience as a volleyball and basketball player at Texas A&M as well as her professional experience.

“She brings experience and energy,” Wyatt said. “This is an exciting time for us.”

Williams touted her background in communication – she has worked as a television commentator – as an asset to the conference.

Williams is the sixth commissioner in the 53-year history of the conference. Fullerton had served since 1996.