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The Sports World Reacts to Nina King
5/20/2021 11:55:00 AM | Athletics
DURHAM -- Below is a collection of thoughts from friends and colleagues across the sports landscape on the news that Nina King will be Duke's next Vice President and Director of Athletics. The announcement was made by the school Wednesday, May 19 and King officially assuming her post on Sept. 1, 2021, following the retirement of Kevin White.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Congratulations to Nina King for her well-deserved promotion to Vice President and Director of Athletics at Duke; she is an outstanding choice. Nina is dedicated to the student-athlete experience, understands the needs of coaches, and values college athletics' important role in higher education. She also is a passionate competitor who appreciates the history of the ACC and the enthusiasm of the Carolina-Duke rivalry. She brings a wealth of knowledge, perspective, and leadership to our group of ACC ADs. Welcome, Nina!"
--University of North Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham
"At this time of dynamic change in intercollegiate athletics, Duke University has made an enlightened and inspiring hire in Nina King as the next Vice President and Director of Athletics. Nina is a genuine, talented and empathetic leader, who has excelled in administration on-campus and at the national level. The NCAA has been fortunate to have Nina's leadership of the women's basketball championship, and she is a trusted colleague on any issue in our business. Nina is the ideal choice as a visionary leader who will be forward-thinking in an evolving student-athlete experience grounded in competitive excellence athletically and academically. Slam dunk hire for Duke. Heartfelt congratulations to Nina, Rick and the King family!"
--NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt
"I could not be more proud to be a Blue Devil today. Nina will be an outstanding leader for the program and I look forward to supporting her, and Duke Athletics, every step of the way."
--United States Olympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland (Duke '97)
"Nina King is an exceptional national leader whose background and vast experience are perfectly suited to serving as the next Director of Athletics at Duke University. She is focused on the overall student-athlete experience and is committed to cultivating an inclusive, highly competitive and successful athletic program within the context of higher education."
--NCAA Vice President for Women's Basketball Lynn Holzman
"I have had the privilege of watching Nina's impressive trajectory since she was a student at Notre Dame. She is a bright and talented administrator who has worked under the very best in the business. She has a unique way of connecting with diverse groups of constituents and, most importantly, I know she will serve her student-athletes well. What a tremendous choice for Duke. I know she will be a star on any stage, especially one that is quite bright in Durham."
--Stanford University Director of Athletics Bernard Muir
"Nina King is a terrific choice, and congratulations to Duke on an outstanding hire. Nina is a person of tremendous integrity with quality experiences and insight that will serve Duke, its student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans extremely well. We look forward to having her join the exceptional team of ACC Athletics Directors, and will continue to benefit from her servant leadership."
--ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips
"Nina is a champion of the student-athlete experience and a proven leader in college sports. She has made significant contributions to Duke, and I am confident the athletics department will continue to benefit in new ways from her knowledge, forward-thinking and commitment to the success of college athletes."
--NCAA Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Stan Wilcox
"I'm so very happy for Nina. Nina is a talented administrator and an incredibly effective leader. She is gifted intellectually and a role model for excellence. There is no doubt she cares about students and the role of collegiate athletics in higher education. I'm proud to be a colleague. Collegiate athletics just got better."
--University of Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Congratulations to Nina King for her well-deserved promotion to Vice President and Director of Athletics at Duke; she is an outstanding choice. Nina is dedicated to the student-athlete experience, understands the needs of coaches, and values college athletics' important role in higher education. She also is a passionate competitor who appreciates the history of the ACC and the enthusiasm of the Carolina-Duke rivalry. She brings a wealth of knowledge, perspective, and leadership to our group of ACC ADs. Welcome, Nina!"
--University of North Carolina Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham
"At this time of dynamic change in intercollegiate athletics, Duke University has made an enlightened and inspiring hire in Nina King as the next Vice President and Director of Athletics. Nina is a genuine, talented and empathetic leader, who has excelled in administration on-campus and at the national level. The NCAA has been fortunate to have Nina's leadership of the women's basketball championship, and she is a trusted colleague on any issue in our business. Nina is the ideal choice as a visionary leader who will be forward-thinking in an evolving student-athlete experience grounded in competitive excellence athletically and academically. Slam dunk hire for Duke. Heartfelt congratulations to Nina, Rick and the King family!"
--NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt
"I could not be more proud to be a Blue Devil today. Nina will be an outstanding leader for the program and I look forward to supporting her, and Duke Athletics, every step of the way."
--United States Olympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland (Duke '97)
"Nina King is an exceptional national leader whose background and vast experience are perfectly suited to serving as the next Director of Athletics at Duke University. She is focused on the overall student-athlete experience and is committed to cultivating an inclusive, highly competitive and successful athletic program within the context of higher education."
--NCAA Vice President for Women's Basketball Lynn Holzman
"I have had the privilege of watching Nina's impressive trajectory since she was a student at Notre Dame. She is a bright and talented administrator who has worked under the very best in the business. She has a unique way of connecting with diverse groups of constituents and, most importantly, I know she will serve her student-athletes well. What a tremendous choice for Duke. I know she will be a star on any stage, especially one that is quite bright in Durham."
--Stanford University Director of Athletics Bernard Muir
"Nina King is a terrific choice, and congratulations to Duke on an outstanding hire. Nina is a person of tremendous integrity with quality experiences and insight that will serve Duke, its student-athletes, coaches, alumni and fans extremely well. We look forward to having her join the exceptional team of ACC Athletics Directors, and will continue to benefit from her servant leadership."
--ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips
"Nina is a champion of the student-athlete experience and a proven leader in college sports. She has made significant contributions to Duke, and I am confident the athletics department will continue to benefit in new ways from her knowledge, forward-thinking and commitment to the success of college athletes."
--NCAA Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Stan Wilcox
"I'm so very happy for Nina. Nina is a talented administrator and an incredibly effective leader. She is gifted intellectually and a role model for excellence. There is no doubt she cares about students and the role of collegiate athletics in higher education. I'm proud to be a colleague. Collegiate athletics just got better."
--University of Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION
We are excited to see Nina King named Duke's new athletic director. Her class at Fuqua with Kevin White has always been popular. @ninaking22 @DukeATHLETICS https://t.co/b1Cw1XgKdD
— Duke Fuqua (@DukeFuqua) May 20, 2021
.@ninaking22 is now the first woman to serve as AD for @DukeATHLETICS and the third black woman to ever hold the position at a Power Five school! Congrats Nina!! #forwardprogress https://t.co/LNFykPDCrw
— Ashley Smith (@iameashleysmith) May 20, 2021
?? @DukeATHLETICS https://t.co/hYVuYNDf8E
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) May 20, 2021
Awesome decision & hire - Congrats @ninaking22 !!! Exciting things ahead - Go Duke! https://t.co/IKWS8Nj8iq
— Ramsey Smith (@ramseysmith) May 19, 2021
I'm so excited about this. @ninaking22 is a tremendous leader and happy to see it acknowledged in this way. https://t.co/tql463MxFy
— Willie Green III (@wgreen3) May 19, 2021
So proud of my friend and absolute boss lady @ninaking22! She's incredible and she's going to do awesome things at Duke! https://t.co/ONqOypaVuc
— Paul Jenkins (@jenkins_paul) May 19, 2021
Simply put: the best. Proud to call you not only a mentor, but also a friend. Congratulations @ninaking22, there is no one more deserving! https://t.co/skegZR3vCK
— Morgan Hersh (@mrh_21) May 20, 2021
Outstanding hire! Nina is the BEST, love working with her on the #ACCWBB?? Committee https://t.co/hpu6YfY3lw
— Justin Wilson (@the_jewilson) May 20, 2021
'King would be the first woman and first person of color to head Duke's athletic department.'
— Women's Sports Foundation (@WomensSportsFdn) May 19, 2021
The first, but not the last. Congrats @ninaking22 on being named Athletic Director of @DukeATHLETICS. #KeepLeading https://t.co/KgL7UZljjO
Congratulations to @DukeU for making an absolute home run hire - @ninaking22 will be an outstanding leader for @DukeATHLETICS & for college athletics nationally!! https://t.co/pWD9WLPj96
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) May 19, 2021
Congratulations, Nina! Congratulations and Bravo, Duke. A great example of how to do it right... #womenareleaders
— Jaci Field (@jacifield) May 19, 2021
.@DukeATHLETICS will name Nina King as their new AD, replacing the outgoing Kevin White. King, an #SBJFortyUnder40 honoree in '18, becomes the "first woman and first person of color to head Duke's athletic department."https://t.co/CZjnTFMlAQ pic.twitter.com/NAiSodPcVc
— Sports Business Journal (@sbjsbd) May 19, 2021
??"Over the moon" excited for an old friend & former coworker, @ninaking22!
— Allen Greene (@AGreeneIV) May 19, 2021
??She's a brilliant leader - a true superstar in this industry! Nina is perfectly positioned to guide @DukeATHLETICS through this next phase of intercollegiate athletics!
??Congratulations Nina! https://t.co/QKbLYlNjhY
The best choice! Thrilled that @ninaking22 is the leader of our department.
— Chris Edwards (@Chris__Edwards) May 19, 2021
She embodies everything that is good about Duke and college athletics at large.
The future of @DukeATHLETICS has never been brighter! https://t.co/ylG1Vqh5QI
Great choice!! @ninaking22 is one of the best in the business!! Love to see it ???? https://t.co/PtY1vtgDs7
— Martin Jarmond (@MartinJarmond) May 19, 2021
???????? Lets go @ninaking22 https://t.co/IVWXmIshHH
— Nolan Smith (@NdotSmitty) May 19, 2021
A great day for Duke. I look forward to working with Nina and her staff as she builds upon the tremendous legacy of professionalism and excellence that defined Dr. White's time at Duke. On a personal level, I am just absolutely thrilled for Nina, Rick, and the boys. #bluecollar https://t.co/6HxEtjtAHz
— Chris Pollard (@coachchris14) May 19, 2021
More of this ??
— Barbie (@Barbie) May 19, 2021
No one better ??????
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) May 19, 2021
Congrats to @ninaking22 from your #DukeGang fam ?? pic.twitter.com/z8YtoETqvx
Thrilled for Nina - excited for the future of @DukeATHLETICS with her at the helm!#GoDuke https://t.co/f4A3SZ0IzY
— David Shumate (@dukepbp) May 19, 2021
A historic hire!!! Congrats, Nina King! pic.twitter.com/LzalvJxiZk
— Duke Women's Basketball (@DukeWBB) May 19, 2021
Congrats, Nina! Can't wait to see what you do as our new AD??#HereComesDuke | #GoDuke pic.twitter.com/6rtBMVjJ5x
— Duke Rowing (@DukeROW) May 19, 2021
No doubt the ?????? family is thrilled to have @ninaking22 leading the way for Duke Athletics as our next VP/Director of Athletics ??#GoDuke pic.twitter.com/VR6ofRfj3e
— Duke Men's Golf (@DukeMGOLF) May 20, 2021
#tulanelaw alumna @ninaking22 (L'05) will be @DukeU's next athletic director, the 1st woman & person of color to be AD. King is the 3rd woman AD in the ACC & among the Power 5, is only the 3rd Black woman AD! We ?? our #trailblazers! @SportsLawGuy https://t.co/J8iFRkK7lM
— @TulaneLaw (@TulaneLaw) May 20, 2021
Just a few of the many women making moves THIS WEEK ?? pic.twitter.com/ZAxZamMxtk
— espnW (@espnW) May 19, 2021
Duke has announced Nina King as its next Vice President and Director of Athletics.
— The ACC (@theACC) May 19, 2021
A statement from Commissioner Phillips on this outstanding hire for @DukeU pic.twitter.com/jX1xLl7eLo
Congratulations to Nina King on her selection as Duke University's next Athletic Director. A once-in-a-generation leader in the sports management field, Nina has the competence and character to develop Duke's young student-athletes on and off the field. She will #MakeItMatter
— GEN(R) Martin E. Dempsey (@Martin_Dempsey) May 19, 2021
Word I have rec'd is ?@DukeU? made an excellent hire in Nina King as their new ADhttps://t.co/H824j33sdV
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 20, 2021
Big day for Duke! Love this move for our athletic department. Congrats @ninaking22! https://t.co/daPT6i6UoG
— Jon Scheyer (@JonScheyer) May 19, 2021
What an amazing hire! @ninaking22 is the perfect person to lead Duke Athletics. She possess the right intellect and demeanor and will do a great job. Congratulations Nina and @duke. https://t.co/DTMyW66Dtw
— Billy King (@bkdefend) May 19, 2021
Congratulations to Nina King! A wonderful choice, an established leader, and a great person. Pure Duke gold. https://t.co/a1gRAsxRyv
— Christoph Guttentag (@DukeAdmissDean) May 19, 2021
.@DukeU has promoted Nina King to Vice President and Director of Athletics, a historic hire that makes her the first woman and person of color to hold the position at #Duke!
— Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative (@BJKLInitiative) May 20, 2021
Congratulations, @ninaking22! #Trailblazerhttps://t.co/jmIQAtBHnF
Congratulations to Nina King (@ninaking22) who has just been named @DukeU's new Athletic Director! ??
— Just Women's Sports (@justwsports) May 20, 2021
Nina is the Blue Devils's first-ever female AD, and is now 1/6 female athletic directors in the Power 5 Conferences.https://t.co/sL2Hk27dB0
Great choice. @DukeU is fortunate to have Nina King https://t.co/RH8hzsy6d4
— Don Taylor (@donaldhtaylorjr) May 19, 2021
Headlining tonight's Evening Standard, @DukeATHLETICS names Senior Deputy AD for Legal Affairs / Chief of Staff Nina King (@ninaking22) as its next athletic director, effective Sept 1. https://t.co/iwbiZNZmVE pic.twitter.com/vgRz6fGslT
— D1.ticker (@D1ticker) May 19, 2021
This awesome. Nina King is so impressive. Well done @DukeU @ninaking22 https://t.co/OH6q8hE5dk
— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) May 19, 2021
Duke University has hired the first woman — and first person of color — to serve as the school's director of athletics https://t.co/Y2ZQbiYCmI
— CNN (@CNN) May 19, 2021
We are excited to share this news with our families. The future of Duke Athletics is in excellent hands with Nina King! https://t.co/SRBbQPenO8
— Duke Parents and Families (@DukeParents) May 19, 2021
"An important step for the continuity of the outstanding culture that exists within Duke Athletics..."
— Duke Men's Basketball (@DukeMBB) May 19, 2021
?????????? ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? pic.twitter.com/Vhrh8RWFR0
Today, @DukeU named Nina King as its athletic director.
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) May 19, 2021
The ACC is leading the way with three of the Power 5's six female athletic directors ?? pic.twitter.com/HDqUPA2h0S
Welcome Nina King to the Duke University Family. We are so thrilled to have you! ?? https://t.co/iW5AkX3fOR
— Duke Black Alumni (@DukeBlackAlumni) May 19, 2021
Congratulations to Nina King ('00, manager) on being named Vice President & Director of Athletics @DukeU!#NDFamily?? https://t.co/uSEtje0cxH
— ND Monogram Club (@NDMonogram) May 19, 2021
Best person for the job ??
— Duke Baseball (@DukeBASE) May 19, 2021
Congrats to our new AD Nina King!#BlueCollar | #GoDuke ?????? pic.twitter.com/Z3FqVnGVxG
Duke is set to promote Nina King to Athletic Director, per @PeteThamel.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 19, 2021
The school's longtime senior deputy for athletics is the first woman and the first person of color to become Duke's AD. pic.twitter.com/OHIOvBh0lh
Congratulations to 2016 NEXT UP honoree Nina King! https://t.co/8CoxHgUyS6
— CollegeAD (@collegead) May 19, 2021
We're excited to announce Nina King as the eighth Vice President & Director of Athletics in Duke history #GoDuke????
— Duke University (@DukeU) May 19, 2021
?? https://t.co/ssExDNuHkn pic.twitter.com/5QXuSBx6LV
Big news for our @ASUSportsLawBiz Board Member, Nina King! https://t.co/BCESdqzckz
— Aaron Hernandez (@QuanHernandez) May 19, 2021
No one better to lead @DukeATHLETICS into the future ??#Te4m | #GoDuke ?????? pic.twitter.com/iP3cfpKZnD
— Duke Softball (@DukeSOFTBALL) May 20, 2021
When a Power 5 school promotes a woman of color to be the Athletic Director ??????
— Sarah Temple Deffebach (@SarahTDeffebach) May 19, 2021
So excited to watch Nina King lead! Well done, @DukeATHLETICS.
Congratulations Nina!! Excellent! https://t.co/xZHHzSDeJg
— Carla G. Williams (@ADWilliamsUVA) May 19, 2021
King is the Senior Deputy AD for Administration/Legal Affairs and chief of staff at Duke. Has worked in the athletic department there since 2008. Very well-respected nationally.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) May 19, 2021
Outstanding Leader!!
— Gene Smith (@OSU_AD) May 19, 2021
Exceptional decision by Duke! Congrats @ninaking22 https://t.co/ycncVzAk7y
Great hire. A regular guest on our @NCAA Social Series, @ninaking22 knows how to navigate a major athletics department in a new era. @DukeATHLETICS is in good hands. https://t.co/XlVJ9ktjGX
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) May 19, 2021
CONGRATULATIONS!!! It's certainly well-deserved! Nina is an outstanding leader and I'm privileged to also call her my friend ????
— Candice Storey Lee (@VandyAD) May 19, 2021
Congrats to @ninaking22 - a great colleague and friend for the last 15 years … keep up the fantastic work and culture! https://t.co/Ev9QaID6VH
— Mike Cragg (@MikeCraggSJU) May 19, 2021
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