University of Mount Olive

Dr. Brenda Cates is a math professor at the University of Mount Olive and serves as the school's faculty athletics representative, a position she has held since 2003.
 
Cates' duties include serving as a liaison between the faculty and the athletics department and she has been instrumental in keeping lines of communication open between coaches and faculty members.  In addition, she provides academic support to student-athletes who may need additional attention, while developing recognition programs for student-athletes who are excelling in the classroom.
 
Cates also keeps the athletics department abreast of NCAA rules changes and assists with the determination of student-athlete eligibility.  Cates has represented Mount Olive and Conference Carolinas on several NCAA committees including the Academic Requirements Committee and Management Council.
 
During the 2011-12 season, Cates became the Trojan men's and women's basketball official scorekeeper. She has also served as head women's tennis coach at Mount Olive.

In 2019 Cates was named the NCAA Division II Faculty Athletics Representatives Association FAR of the Year. Dr. Cates was the first-ever recipient of the FAR of the Year award for Division II and was recognized for her service to the NCAA, Conference Carolinas, and the University of Mount Olive. 

In 2021 Cates earned the Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award fo Excellence in Teaching.

In 2022 Cates was named the NCAA DII Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award Winner.
 
Cates and her husband Tim have two adult children, Daniel and Samantha.