Aug. 3, 2006

IRVING, Texas - Donyale Canada has accepted the position of Director of Sports Services at Conference USA, Executive Associate Commissioner Judy MacLeod announced today. Canada will be responsible for the administration and championships for several of C-USA's 19 sports.

Canada previously spent three years at the Ohio Valley Conference as the Assistant Commissioner for Championships and Senior Woman Administrator. She oversaw the event management of 18 OVC championships and assisted with the administration and marketing of the OVC Baseball and Basketball Tournaments. She also served as the staff liaison to a number of coaches groups and the officiating coordinators.

A member of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issues Committee, she served as the NCAA Staff Representative at the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds. She was also the Assistant Tournament Manager for the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds in Nashville.

"Donyale's experience and knowledge will be invaluable as she works with our coaches groups and championship staffs at Conference USA," MacLeod said. "She will be able to jump in and contribute right away and we feel fortunate to have her join our team."

A native of Texas, Canada earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, with a specialization in sport management, from Texas A&M University in 1997. While in College Station, she was a full scholarship member of the Aggie women's basketball and track & field squads. In 1994, her women's basketball team advanced to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" and she was an Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field NCAA qualifier in 1995, 1996 and 1997.