Janet Lucas, director of athletics at University of the Pacific since 2018, is retiring following a 43-year career in college athletics.

The first female director of athletics at Pacific, Lucas is accustomed to breaking barriers. Women hold AD roles at just 15% of NCAA Division I programs.

“The opportunity to lead and serve this athletics program is one that I will always cherish and look back upon with much appreciation,” Lucas said. “This place, the Pacific Athletics family and our collective mission are tremendously important to me. After much consideration, the time has come for me to step away and begin the next stage of my life.

“My life in college athletics has been an amazing ride—one that has provided a fulfilling and exciting career, overflowing with so many amazing people that have been a vital part of my journey,” she said.

While at Pacific, Lucas has reshaped the athletics program, providing upgrades to the student-athlete experience and focusing on the growth of support services. Student-athletes’ average GPAs have surpassed 3.00 in each of the semesters during her tenure.

She steps down Aug. 2. The university is in the final stages of the national search for her successor.

“Janet has had a tremendous impact,” said Wes Yourth, deputy director of athletics. “She led Pacific Athletics over the past five years through what could be defined as one of the most tumultuous times our industry, and quite frankly, the world has seen. Janet did so with a tireless work ethic that focused on problem solving and putting people first.”

During her tenure, two new facilities were constructed: the Walter Chang Golf and Learning Center as part of a partnership with The Reserve at Spanos Park and the Stagg Memorial Football Plaza.

Two of Pacific’s marquee facilities were also renovated, including the Douglass M. Eberhardt Aquatics Center, which added a state-of-the-art video board. The renovated facility hosted the 2019 NCAA Men’s Water Polo and the 2023 NCAA Women’s Water Polo national championships. The Alex G. Spanos Center was renovated with new LED lighting, refurbished and redesigned courts and the addition of an LED scorer’s table, two video boards and two endzone ribbon boards.

Men’s soccer, women’s water polo and men’s water polo have earned NCAA Tournament berths during Lucas’s tenure. The leaders of the men’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s water polo have earned conference coach of the year honors.

Bradley Davis, who has spent 17 years on the Pacific women’s basketball staff including the last eight years as head coach, praised Lucas’s leadership.

“I truly think Janet’s student-athlete-centered approach was key to successfully navigating ‘the COVID years’ of athletics,” Davis said. “In an arena where it’s all about winning on the court or field and in the classroom, Janet’s leadership enabled us to strive for that while also meeting the needs of our student athletes during these unprecedented times.” 

While her tenure has included championships, opening new facilities, hiring new coaches and staff members and encouraging student-athletes to achieve at the highest level possible, she has had the biggest impact on the people she has served.

“Janet leaves a lasting impression on all of us as student-athletes and more broadly as members of the Pacific Tiger community,” said Rosie Schweizer, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a senior on the women’s basketball team. “We have been fortunate to have had a strong leader who has listened to our opinions and helped create a lasting positive environment to foster success and competitiveness in the classroom and on the court, field and pool.” 

Alumna Elizabeth Demichelis ’87, a basketball season ticket holder, said Lucas’ outreach made the community feel welcome as members of the Pacific family.

“She brought alumni back into the fold through her acknowledgement of their past contributions to Pacific’s grand history,” Demichelis said. “I am not alone in gratitude to Janet for where she has taken the Pacific Athletics program over the last several years. She built a competitive program that included championships and Olympians, but more importantly, built the character of the athlete to help them develop both athletics skills and academic excellence.”

Lucas joined Pacific after a 12-year tenure at UC Riverside where she served as the executive associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator. She also served in similar leadership roles at Cal State Northridge from 2004 to 2006 and James Madison University from 1989-2004, along with appointments at the University of Maine and Baylor University.

“As I reflect on my time at Pacific, I am leaving proud of this program, the Pacific Athletics family and what we have accomplished,” Lucas said. “As I look to the future, I will be eager to see the Pacific Tigers achieve in many new and inspirational ways in the classroom, in competition and in the community as Pacific continues to develop champions in life.”