EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Athletic Department announced on Tuesday the hiring of Charolette Hunt as the school’s Athletic Compliance Coordinator and Senior Woman’s Administrator.  Hunt comes to UTPA from Northwestern University, where she served as the Compliance Coordinator.

Hunt, a 1998 graduate of Arkansas State University, served for the last year as the Compliance Coordinator for Northwestern University of the Big Ten Conference.  While at the school, she was responsible for the certification of over 450 student-athletes.  Northwestern had the top student-athletes graduation rate in the country for NCAA Division I schools at 98 percent.

Prior to her time at Northwestern, Hunt worked at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, Mich., as the Eligibility Coordinator.  She was responsible for the certification of over 715 student-athletes.  She worked directly with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was the Athletic Department liaison to the Deans of the respective schools at the University.

Hunt also served as the Compliance Assistant at the Big East Conference Office in Providence, R.I.  While there she assisted the Associate Commissioner for Compliance with all aspects of the Big East Compliance Operation.  She handled the monitoring of National Letters of Intents for the 15-school conference, maintained records regarding violations, interpretations, waivers and appeals and acted as the liaison between the Conference’s Student-Athlete Committee and the NCAA.

“I am very excited to be a part of a program that is dedicated to enhancing the entire well-being of student-athletes,” said Hunt.  Bill (Weidner) and I share a vision of a department that competes, graduates student-athletes and succeeds within the rules.  The single most important factor that made my decision an easy one was the environment.  The environment of the department, the university and the community sold me from my first hello.  Several people (in compliance) questioned my decision, but I had to tell them that this program will be one of the most respected in the country in a couple of years.  I can honestly say that the direction that UTPA is going in is one that other universities should model.  I look forward to becoming an integral part of a winning system in this thriving department.”

Hunt received a Bachelors of Science degree from Arkansas State, with a major emphasis in Sports Promotion.  She also minored in journalism.  She was named to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and held various leadership positions in organizations such as Student Government, Athletic Ambassadors, Minority Mentor Group, Presidential Ambassadors and Student Activities.

“I am very pleased to announce the addition of Charolette Hunt to our staff as our Athletic Compliance Coordinator and Senior Woman’s Administrator,” said UTPA Athletic Director William Weidner.  “Charolette is one of the top young athletic administrators in our profession.  Her experience and background will serve her well at UTPA.  Of special significance is her most recent tenure at Northwestern University.  As Northwestern’s Athletic Compliance Coordinator, Charolette oversaw a compliance driven athletic program that had the number one student-athlete graduation rate in the nation (98%).  In addition, she has also served with distinction at the University of Michigan and with the Big East Conference.  On behalf of our entire athletic program, we enthusiastically welcome Charolette as the newest member of the Bronc and Lady Bronc family.”

Hunt is a member of several professional organizations, including: The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators, The National Association of Compliance Coordinators and The Black Coaches Association.  Hunt will begin her duties as Athletic Compliance Coordinator and Senior Woman’s Administrator immediately.  She replaces Dr. Marc Evans, who took a similar position at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth after two years with UTPA.