INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Millersville University's senior associate director of athletics is one of 22 administrators across all three divisions selected for the 2025-26 Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.
Earnesty has overseen Millersville Athletics' compliance and academics and has been the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor since 2016. Under his leadership, the number of PSAC Scholar-Athletes has increased each year, the department's GPA has risen, and he has helped SAAC host four Make-A-Wish reveals. Earnesty is one of just four individuals from the Division II ranks selected to the Pathway Program.
The program, under the direction of NCAA leadership development, is an intensive, experiential learning opportunity. During the year, the participants will be paired with and have regularly scheduled meetings with a campus or conference mentor. The mentors include directors of athletics, conference commissioners, and school presidents, along with others in leadership roles.
The program is structured to help cement their leadership purpose and enhance their skills in areas that focus on strategic planning; fundraising; message articulation; diversity, equity and inclusion; organizational leadership; hiring processes; and engagement with search firms. The 2025-26 cohort will meet June 22-27 for a week-long education session in Indianapolis. Participants will return in the fall for more programming and to observe their divisions' respective governance meetings. The program will conclude in the summer of 2026 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics conference in Las Vegas.
"The Pathway Program remains a proven cornerstone of leadership development in college athletics," said DeeDee Merritt, NCAA managing director of leadership development in a news release. "It equips senior-level administrators with the tools, insights and network to take the next step in their careers. We look forward to another year of growth and impact with the 2025–26 cohort."
The Pathway Program was created in 1997 and has produced more than 300 program alumni, with nearly 30% of the graduates moving on to become athletics directors or conference commissioners. Additionally, more than 70% of the program alumni have received some level of promotion in relation to their title or job responsibilities.
