Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Carolyn Stone has announced her resignation from Palm Beach Atlantic University to pursue other professional opportunities. She will continue to lead the athletic program through the end of the academic year.
Stone was named the Director of Athletics in January 2012 and since that time saw the Sailfish reach several important milestones. PBA was accepted into the Sunshine State Conference in August 2017 – a long-term goal of finding a conference home after spending several years as an independent Division II institution.
“Carolyn Stone has been a true champion for Palm Beach Atlantic’s mission, values and the unprecedented rise in Sailfish intercollegiate athletics,” said President William M. B. Fleming, Jr. “The University is enormously grateful for her constant focus on student achievement and her relentless efforts to reach the highest standards. Her record as Athletic Director has now been recognized nationally and in our community. We look forward to her continuing to cheer for the Sailfish!”
PBA opened the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus in August 2014 and, subsequently, the John & Shelia Rinker Sports Center in August 2017. The 80-acre campus and the 32,000 square foot building provide a home for 14 of the current 17 varsity athletic programs. Stone was a key player on the fundraising effort to raise over $20 million dollars to accomplish both projects.
“I would like to thank President Fleming and the Board of Trustees for providing the opportunity to serve our community as the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics,” Stone said. “I could never had imagined when I said yes to this post in December of 2011 that the Sailfish would become a nationally prominent NCAA Division II athletic program and members of the Sunshine State Conference in a few short years. I have been surrounded by an incredible team of athletic staff, cabinet members, donors, and friends of the program who have worked tirelessly to build our brand and vision of developing Christian Game Changers. The Sailfish are positioned for success and I am eager to watch as our student athletes continue to prosper in the classroom, on the court, field, golf course, and of course, in service to others. I will always be the biggest fan of winning the PBA way.”
During her time at PBA the athletic department has grown from 10 varsity programs and 150 student-athletes to 17 varsity athletic programs with over 300 student-athletes. The Sailfish claimed their first NCAA Regional Championships in 2015 (men’s soccer and volleyball) and also saw the volleyball program play for the Division II National Championship that same year.
In their first year in the Sunshine State Conference, the Sailfish captured the men’s soccer and softball regular season championships. Four student-athletes earned player of the year honors from the conference with 28 total receiving all-conference recognition. PBA placed over 140 student-athletes on the SSC Honor Roll while maintaining a department GPA over 3.00 for the 13th straight semester under Stone’s guidance.
She was named the PBA Employee of the Year as well as the NACDA Under Armour Division II Athletic Director of the Year in her time at PBA.
In June Stone will begin her role as the Director of Business Development and Operations in the Town of Palm Beach. She previously served as the Recreation Supervisor in the Town of Palm Beach from 1997-1999.
