Chris Plonsky is no stranger to the world of collegiate athletics. Plonsky has worked in college athletics since 1976, and 2024-2025, marks her 37th year at The University of Texas. Her career took her to various roles within the athletic department, where she rose through the ranks. In 1993, Plonskys supervised revenue areas in multimedia rights, sponsorship, marketing, licensing and television, a position she held for over two decades. From 2001- 2017 she served as UT women’s athletics director. During her tenure, she oversaw growth and success in women’s sports at Texas. She championed gender equity, expanding opportunities for female athletes and ensuring that they had the resources and support necessary to excel both on and off the field. Plonsky now serves as executive senior associate athletics director/chief of staff and is UT’s senior woman administrator for Conference and NCAA governance where she supervises student-athlete services staff leaders in academics, career/leadership development, and compliance/risk management. Under her leadership, Texas women’s teams captured numerous conference championships and national titles, establishing the Longhorns’ reputation as a national powerhouse. Beyond her focus on women’s sports, Plonsky played a crucial role in the overall success of the Texas athletic program. She was a key figure in the development initiatives that benefited all student-athletes and made UT one of the most respected athletic programs in the country. Plonsky’s influence extended beyond the University of Texas. She served on numerous national committees, including the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, U.S. Olympic Collegiate Advisory Committee, USA Basketball Board of Directors, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees and is the Senior Woman Administrator for the Big 12 Conference. She was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.
