Cathy Badger - Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services - Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Cathy Badger

Title:
Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services
Email:

Cathy Badger joined Utah Athletics in August 2022 as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services. She is responsible for the oversight of Utah’s academic services unit and all aspects of the academic support and services that equip student-athletes in the pursuit of their degree.

In addition, Badger serves as the sport supervisor for Utah's gymnastics program. Badger was recognized in 2025 by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) as the Sport Supervisor of the Year for Region 2, and in 2023 for the impact she has made on student-athletes and in the intercollegiate athletics industry, receiving the Professional Excellence award from the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A).

Badger came to Salt Lake City from Florida State University, where she had spent the previous 13 years in academic services, ultimately ascending to the position of Deputy Director for Student-Athlete Academic Services. She joined the Florida State Student-Athlete Academic Services staff in December of 2009, and in January 2014 was named Assistant Director for the department. In October of 2015 she was promoted to Associate Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services, and in July 2019 was again promoted, this time to Senior Associate Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services.

In her last role at Florida State she served as the Director of Academic Affairs for the department, creating a comprehensive academic support program and providing guidance to student-athletes regarding academic and personal skill development as well as monitoring academic eligibility, major selection, advisement, progress towards a degree, and assisting in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes.

Originally from Naperville, Ill., Badger earned a bachelor's degree in Secondary English and Chemistry Education from Western Michigan University where she was also a member of the soccer team. She came to Florida State to pursue a double Master's degree in Higher Education with a Student Affairs focus and Athletic Administration, both earned in April, 2010. Her interest in working with student-athletes drew her to working as a tutor/mentor through SAAS beginning in January, 2008, moving into a graduate assistant position, then hired full-time as the tutorial coordinator in 2009. Cathy thrives off of engaging student-athletes in the learning process while cultivating an atmosphere that promotes collegiate transition and overall student development.

Cathy and her husband Jeff have two children; a son and daughter. She is also a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) and Women Leaders in College Sports, and began a term on the N4A Board of Directors in 2024.