An associate professor with a personal passion for athletics and a strong commitment to the academic mission of the university has been appointed to serve as the Faculty Athletics Representative.

Kim Elsbach of the Graduate School of Management will serve a five-year term, effective July 1. She will succeed Professor Emeritus Mel Ramey.

In making the announcement, Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef said Elsbach, a member of the athletics administrative advisory committee since 2003, will bring to the role "a wealth of knowledge, experience and commitment to UC Davis. I am confident that she will serve with distinction."

Elsbach will serve as UC Davis' representative to the Big West Conference and as its appointed delegate to the conventions and other activities of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. She will certify eligibility for all student athletes for conference and NCAA competition, practice and financial aid, among other responsibilities.

"My primary role is to protect the academic mission of the campus and make sure academic goals and ideals are not forgotten in athletics decision-making," she said.

Elsbach, an active master's swimmer, marathon runner and tri-athlete, was a walk-on to the varsity swim team at the University of Iowa. "I wasn't a star, but I got so much out of it," she said.

She said athletics can help participants cultivate skills in organization, teamwork, leadership — and humility. "You don't have to be the starting football quarterback to get good things out of athletics. Davis recognizes that and really tries to foster that.

"Athletics here is broad-based and participation is very widespread," she said. "It's not just the premier sports — we support extensive intramural and physical education courses and programs."

A Chancellor's Fellow, Elsbach studies perception management in organizations, including the management of individual and organizational images, identities and reputations; and cognitive processes, including decision making, problem solving and creativity.

She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial and management engineering from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University. She has been a member of the management school's faculty since 1997.