Barbara Day Lockhart is serving as BYU's faculty athletic representative, the first woman to serve in this capacity in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). She succeeded Clayne Jensen, who served in that capacity for 18 years and who has been appointed director of athletics at BYU.
As faculty athletic representative, Dr. Lockhart represents the university with such organizations as the WAC and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).She also works closely with BYU's central administration and athletic administrators to monitor the athletic program's status within the university and its relationships outside the school.
In announcing her appointment in September 1993, BYU Pres. Rex E. Lee said: "One of our strongest faculty members is being appointed to one of our most important positions. Dr. Lockhart is a highly accomplished teacher and scholar. She is also very knowledgeable in matters pertaining to intercollegiate athletics. BYU, the Western Athletic Conference, and the NCAA will be well-served by her appointment as our faculty athletic representative. This is an instance where the responsibility and the person are a perfect fit."
After earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Michigan State, she came to BYU in 1968 while working on her doctorate. In 1970, she went to Temple University in Philadelphia, where she became director of women's athletics and assistant dean in the College of Physical Education. She returned to BYU as a professor in 1991.
She teaches philosophy and sports administration courses in the Department of Physical Education, and an honors course, "Philosophy of Body, Mind, and Spirit."
The February 1994 issue of Brigham Young Magazine, in an article about Dr. Lockhard, quoted her as saying: "It is momentous to put a woman in this position. It took real courage on President Lee's part. . . . Our culture has made sport male. . . . To me, of course, sport is neither female nor male. I love being a woman, and I love being an outstanding athlete. It's a gift I'm elated to have."
