Former Badger Weare loses battle with cancer
June 16, 2009 | Volleyball
Brenda Weare, a three-year letterwinner with the Wisconsin volleyball team from 1976-78, passed away on June 13 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 51 years old.
Weare was a 1980 graduate of the UW with a bachelor's degree in communication arts. The 5-4 setter/outside hitter from Shorewood, Wis., aided the Badgers to three Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) titles and three appearances in the Midwestern Regional of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (MAIAW) championships.
Weare, who had more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, most recently served as the Commissioner of the Northeast Conference since 2006. Prior to her appointment at the NEC, she served as Senior Associate Commissioner of Conference USA where she was responsible for championships administration, sportsmanship and sport committees. Weare served as the league's Interim Commissioner for a five-month period in 2002.
In October, 2008, Weare was honored by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) with its inaugural NACWAA Award of Distinction. Additionally, the Brenda Weare NACWAA Leadership Scholarship has been established in her honor. She was the recipient of the All-American Football Foundation Outstanding Associate Commissioner Award and USA Volleyball Robert Lindsay Meritorious Service Award in 2001.
Proactive in NCAA governance throughout her distinguished career, Weare served on the NCAA Leadership Council. She also held positions NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet, the NACWAA Board of Directors, NCAA Council, NCAA Interpretations Committee, NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification and the NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committee. Weare was also a former chair and member of the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee.
Prior to joining Conference USA, Weare enjoyed a stint as Assistant Commissioner of the Great Midwest Conference from 1990-95, and worked in Compliance Services at the NCAA from 1988-90. In 1989, she helped draft the legislation and oversaw the pilot program that resulted in the creation of the NCAA Division I Certification process. She was also the Athletic Director and women's volleyball coach at Mundelein College in Chicago from 1984-88.
Weare received a master's degree in athletic administration from the University of Iowa in 1984.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Brenda's honor to Cycle For Survival - Weare Fighting Cancer, by completing docID=522"> --> this PDF form found and mailing it to the following address:
Cycle For Survival
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
633 Third Avenue, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Contributions may also be made to the newly established Brenda Weare NACWAA Leadership Scholarship fund. Donations may be made to the following address:
Brenda Weare NACWAA Leadership Scholarship
c/o NACWAA National Office
5018 Randall Parkway, Suite 3
Wilmington, NC 28403
