ARLINGTON – Debbie Garcia, who has spent time as either a student-athlete or staff member at UT Arlington since 1992 – including the past 20 years in an SWA role, has been promoted to serve as the Deputy AD by Director of Athletics Jon Fagg.
 
Since 2017, Garcia has served as the Executive Senior Associate AD for Compliance, Academics and Student-Athlete Welfare and also served as the department's Senior Woman's Administrator (SWA).
 
In that role, she is the sport administrator for volleyball, men's and women's tennis and women's golf, as well as the direct supervisor for sports medicine, strength and conditioning, academics, compliance, life skills and leadership development. On top of that, she is the Deputy Title IX Coordinator and the Institutional Representative on the Western Athletic Conference's (WAC) Sport Management Committee.
 
"Debbie is the equivalent of the heart and soul of our department," said Fagg. "She bleeds the UTA blue as a former student-athlete and has spent more than 30 years dedicating her life to the Maverick family. This is a well-deserved and well-earned recognition."
 
Prior to 2017, Garcia served in a similar role but started as an Associate AD in 2007 before being promoted to Senior Associate AD one year later. From 2003-07, she was the Assistant AD for Academics and Student-Athlete Welfare/SWA/Champs Life Skills Coordinator.
 
"I am very appreciative of the recognition of my service and dedication to UTA and our coaches and student-athletes," stated Garcia. "Our university and athletics department have been the bedrock of my career and my family, and any opportunity to continue to contribute to their growth is something that I cherish."
 
From 1999-2003, Garcia served as an academic advisor/champion life skills coordinator after two years as a graduate assistant with the UTA track and field program – a period in which she also concurrently worked at Maverick Stadium.
 
As a student-athlete, Garcia served as a member of the UTA cross country and track and field teams from 1992-97, where she was recruited by current head coach and then assistant coach John Sauerhage. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science in 1997.
 
"When I first arrived at UTA so many years ago I knew that Arlington was special – I had amazing teammates who are still in my life today and have seen so many young people go on to build friendships, careers and families that happened because they saw a home here, too, and that makes me very proud and motivated to keep moving our program forward," added Garcia.
 
Garcia is a two-time member of the UTA Athletics Hall of Honor, earning a spot in the 2005 Class for her participation on the 1995 women's track and field team, and the 2015 Class for her time as a member of the 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2000 men's track and field coaching staffs.
 
Furthermore, Garcia currently serves on UTA's People and Culture Strategic Advisory Council.
 
Garcia and her husband, Mike – both natives of El Paso – have been married for 23 years and have two sons: Vincent and Christian.
 
"As a long-time employee and alumni, I am so proud of the student-athletes and staff that wear UTA in our community and around the world," concluded Garcia. "I have had the great opportunity to meet people from so many places and share their experiences as they witness the potential and success that can happen when great people share a common goal, and that is to elevate our Maverick family each day."
   
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