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University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Senior Administrator for University Enterprises and Director of Athletics (Sport Supervisor: M/W Basketball, Women's Golf)
- Email:
- Phone:
- 251-6922
Janet R. Cone has served as UNC Asheville’s Director of Athletics since 2004. She was the President of the I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (ADA) for the 2023-24 season, a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Executive Committee, and on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Since her arrival in Asheville, Cone has transformed Bulldogs Athletics into one of the premier NCAA Division I programs among mid-major universities. Bulldog teams have won over 30 Big South Conference Championships, and several student-athletes have earned recognition as All-Americans during Cone's tenure.
The Bulldogs have also succeeded academically as the graduation rate and grade point average for student-athletes are higher than the overall student body, a point of pride for our athletics program and distinctive among NCAA Division I schools. Community service is also a way of life for the Bulldogs, as Asheville annually engages in over 2,500 hours of service activities both as individuals and teams. Under Cone's leadership, UNC Asheville Athletics has proven it can deliver “Champions in Athletics and Leaders in Life.”
Under Cone’s leadership the Bulldogs achieved this unbelievable progress with the creation and implementation of the “More Wins, More Friends, and More Resources” and the "Believe. Achieve. Thrive." strategic plans. Recently, UNC Asheville Athletics partnered with Huron in the fall of 2022 to develop strategies and prioritize investments that will sustain and advance Bulldog Athletics. Out of this partnership came the latest strategic plan for the Bulldogs entitled "Dream Bigger. Achieve More"
“‘'Dream Bigger. Achieve More.' Is designed as a roadmap for the next five years, outlining key areas of focus and growth in developing our most valuable resource - our student-athlete," said Cone. "Bulldog Athletics and its student-athletes, coaches, and staff represent the very best of UNC Asheville and it is our belief that this strategic plan is the framework from which is successful NCAA Division I Athletics Program can thrive for years to come."
As part of her focus on the overall success of Bulldog Student-Athletes, she recently spearheaded the creation of the “Be A Top Dog” program which is a holistic approach to student-athlete success. In 2021, Cone spearheaded the “Celebration on the Court” initiative, to tip off basketball season with proceeds going to Bulldog student-athletes of all sports.
In addition to her continual focus on student-athlete welfare and academic excellence, Cone has worked tirelessly to improve gender and racial equity and inclusion within Bulldog Athletics. Upon her arrival in Asheville, she spearheaded the “Our Turn to Play” luncheon to raise scholarship dollars for Bulldog women’s sports and awareness of Title IX. Just a few years ago she announced the addition of women’s golf as the 16th NCAA Division I athletics program at UNC Asheville. The revival of the women’s swimming program in 2012-13 marked the first time that the athletics department had added a sport in 20 years.
Facilities improvement has also been a hallmark of Cone’s leadership. Most notably, the construction of the Wilma M. Sherrill Center and Kimmel Arena was completed during her tenure. In addition, an updated Athletic Facility Master Plan was competed in 2020, and a Capital Campaign is underway to construct an Outdoor Sports Complex that includes baseball, soccer, and track. The $4.5M renovation and expansion of the Karl Strauss Track Facility is currently in progress.
Cone’s professional commitments locally and nationally are impressive as well. She recently completed her five-year commitment to serving on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee that selects teams for March Madness and is presently serving on the NCAA I Men’s College Basketball Summer Initiative Working Group. Cone is a member of the Big South Conference Finance, Hall of Fame, Membership, Nominations, and Strategic Planning Committees. She is also a member of NACDA’s Honors and Awards Committee and Learfield Directors’ Cup Committee. Outside of her work at UNC Asheville, Cone helped establish the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, was a former chair, and is serving as a founding member.
Cone was recently recognized for her outstanding community contributions at the annual WomanUP Awards ceremony hosted by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, where she received the Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by First Bank. This award recognizes women who have distinguished themselves in business, leadership, and service throughout their careers.
The Suzanne DeFerie Lifetime Achievement Award adds to a distinguished list of previous awards and recognitions. This past fall Samford University announced Cone as the winner of the 2023 John C. Pittman Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019, Cone was honored with the I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (ADA) Builders’ Award. In 2013, she was honored as one of just 28 Directors of Athletics to be named an Under Armour AD of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Prior to coming to Asheville, Cone served as the Associate Athletics Director for Samford. She also coached women's basketball at Samford, Saint Leo, Western Carolina and Mars Hill. Cone holds a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a master's degree from the University of South Carolina.
UNC Asheville recently extended Cone’s contract through May of 2026.
