Marshall University Athletics
Men's Soccer
- Title:
- Executive Associate Athletic Director for Championship Planning and Resources
- Email:
- boughton@marshall.edu
- Phone:
- ----
Debra Boughton is a seasoned athletics administrator with over two decades of experience in collegiate sports leadership, currently serving as the Deputy Director of Athletics/Internal Operations/Chief Financial Officer at Marshall University. In this role, she oversees internal operations, strategic initiatives, and financial planning, while also providing sport oversight for volleyball, softball, and both men’s and women’s soccer.
Her leadership has been instrumental in launching innovative programs such as HerdZone+, enhancing game day experiences, and driving revenue growth through strategic planning and operational restructuring.
Prior to joining Marshall, Debra held multiple senior leadership roles at Northern Illinois University, including Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Financial Officer. There, she led revenue generation, and strategic planning efforts, and served as a key liaison to university-wide initiatives, including Title IX compliance and institutional strategic planning.
Her tenure was marked by numerous accomplishments, including hosting NCAA tournaments, securing major gifts, implementing department-wide technology upgrades, and earning accolades such as the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Athena Award and NIU’s Women Who Make a Difference award.
Debra began her career in athletics administration at Texas State University and Ohio University, following a foundational role in public accounting with Arthur Andersen LLP. She holds a Master’s in Sports Administration from Ohio University and dual degrees in Accounting from Trinity University, where she was also an NCAA Postgraduate Scholar and standout soccer student-athlete.
A Certified Public Accountant and a recognized leader in the field, Debra has served on NCAA committees, university governance councils, and community boards. Her commitment to equity, innovation, and student-athlete success continues to shape the future of collegiate athletics.
