University of North Texas Athletics

Natasha Oakes joined North Texas in September 2017 as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, overseeing all areas of NCAA, Conference USA and institutional compliance for all 16 Mean Green athletics teams. In October 2020 she was elevated to Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director.

In addition to her compliance responsibilities, Oakes serves as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), is a Title IX Deputy Coordinator, Chief Diversity Officer in athletics, and has direct oversight of the women’s tennis program. She is a member of the athletics executive administration and represents North Texas on several committees, including serving as chair of the NCAA Division I Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers Committee, as well as the award committees for Women Leaders in College Sports. Additionally, she is a board member for the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, and serves on the Symposium Planning Committee.

She is a highly accomplished professional with over 16 years of experience in athletics administration.

Oakes came to North Texas from Missouri Western State University, where she was the Associate AD for Internal Operations and SWA. She was a member of the athletics senior staff and had direct sport supervision over nine of the Griffons sports programs, while also overseeing the compliance, academics and Title IX needs of the department.  

Prior to her time at Missouri Western, Oakes worked at the NCAA where, for four years, she served as an Assistant Director of Academic and Membership Affairs. In her role at the NCAA, she was responsible for providing legislative interpretations, conducting rules education, and overseeing the legislative relief waiver process. She also spent six years at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association as the Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Internal Operations. 

The Topeka, Kansas native earned her master’s degree in sport and fitness management from Missouri Western State University and her bachelor of science degree in business from Emporia State University, where she was a student-athlete in the track and field program.