Montgomery Leads Big South Conference as Historic Commissioner
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Sherica Montgomery has a deep connection to the Big South Conference. She played as a center for Gardner Webb, which was part of the league when it transitioned from ASUN to Big South in the late 2000s. After her playing career, she joined the conference office in Charlotte, starting as an intern before moving into a staff position. Following a retirement phase that began in 2017, she took on various roles at Winthrop University, the Summit League, the NCAA, and the Missouri Valley Conference.
Montgomery made her return to the Big South in 2022, initially as the league’s deputy commissioner, and quickly ascended to the role of chief commissioner in 2023. Notably, she is both the first woman and the first Black person to hold the commissioner title in the Big South.
As she navigates her third season in this position, Montgomery is aware that the landscape of college athletics is shifting rapidly. The transfer portal now allows athletes from various sports more freedom in their movements, while NIL deals and new agreements pave the way for athlete compensation.
In light of these changes, Montgomery is focused on enhancing the league’s visibility and stability. Despite a decrease in membership with institutions like Hampton and Campbell leaving for the CAA, she has pursued partnerships and initiatives, including establishing a soccer affiliation with the Ohio Valley Conference and gaining associate membership in Olympic sports. This year marks a milestone, as the Big South Women’s Basketball Championship will be broadcast live on ESPN2 for the first time.
Earlier this year, she even testified before Congress in support of the SCORE Act, highlighting her active involvement in advocating for the conference’s interests.
“We’re undergoing a significant transformation in intercollegiate athletics. Change can be tough, but I aim to lead our members through it with as little resistance as possible,” Montgomery shared during Big South Media Day. “There are many things that commissioners wouldn’t have tackled in the last few years that are now essential, particularly Congressional involvement.”
Talking about the SCORE Act, she explained, “It checks three key boxes for us: student-athletes not being classified as employees, preemption from state law, and limited liability protection. It’s vital for us to establish and enforce our own eligibility and academic standards, without facing constant litigation. Congressional involvement is crucial given the current situation in collegiate sports.”
This year, Montgomery is also set to serve as vice chair on the selection committee for the WBIT, a postseason tournament that will start in 2024 for 32 second-tier women’s basketball teams, akin to the men’s NIT.
Montgomery took the opportunity to discuss various topics related to women’s sports in the league during an interview held at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City.
Note: This conversation has been slightly edited for brevity and clarity.
On Membership Dynamics and Basketball Focus
“Absolutely. The Big South is very basketball-focused. While we have two affiliates that play football, we don’t sponsor the sport, allowing us to allocate resources toward basketball and develop our initiatives accordingly,” she said about the implications of not having a football program.
On the WBIT Selection Committee
When asked about the WBIT’s first year, Montgomery replied, “Overall, I consider it a success. There’s been immense support from the women’s basketball community for this initiative. It allows our student-athletes to continue playing deeper into the March postseason.”
On Criteria for Selection
“We’re pretty aligned with the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s standards. Our goal is to make selections based on the same performance metrics they use, like the NET and WAB,” she added.
On Tournament Size and Expansion
Regarding the tournament’s current size, she affirmed, “I believe we’re at an appropriate size for now. Expansion discussions are ongoing, especially around National Championships, but it’s essential we ensure our current setup is sustainable before considering further growth.”
On Opinions Regarding Tournament Expansion
“I’m cautious about rapid growth. While we’re recognizing the need for expansion, it’s also important to maintain quality. If new tournaments emerge, I’ll definitely support that,” Montgomery remarked.
On the Importance of Winning
“Winning a game in the NCAA tournament is significant. We want our teams to qualify and compete effectively. For instance, Presbyterian’s women’s team had a stellar performance in the First Four two years ago, serving as a great example for our teams moving forward,” she shared.
On Emerging Women’s Sports
Shifting focus to emerging women’s sports, Montgomery expressed, “I have a background in women’s track and field and see the growing importance of various women’s sports. We’re actively discussing women’s flag football with NFL representatives, and it’s encouraging to see interest and participation increasing in these areas.”
On Membership Stability
Reflecting on membership trends, she indicated, “I think stability is something we continually assess. Like building a team, we need to focus on retaining current members while also attracting new ones. We’re in a good place with nine member institutions, and I’m optimistic about our growth while maintaining the quality of our members.”
