At The Oakwood School, the athletics program is continually developing while two incredible women lead the department in what is traditionally a male-dominated space: Athletic Director Tricia Hurt and Assistant Athletic Director Peyton Hutson. Their mutual commitment to fostering growth and development within their student-athletes drives the culture in the department. Coach Hurt and Coach Hutson bring a unique blend of experience, energy, and commitment to the total student-athletes. Together, they make sure that Oakwood athletics isn’t just about winning games; it’s about establishing confidence, promoting lifelong healthy habits, and helping student-athletes grow into their fullest potential.
As Athletic Director, Tricia Hurt possesses more than a decade of experience as a school and athletic leader, holding a degree in Health Fitness and a Master’s in Teaching. She was brought up around sports, playing soccer, ice hockey, and basketball. She spent hours at her dad’s practices as he coached women’s college soccer and men’s ice hockey. “Sports had taught me discipline, perseverance, and how to work together as a team towards a common goal,” she said, adding “Being here allows me to provide support for the athletes, coach mentors, and voice programs that benefit the overall school community.”
Coach Hurt’s leadership trajectory has been shaped by both early experiences and role models. Witnessing great female competitors grow up in a culture of passion and commitment motivated her to chart her own course in sports. “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be a woman leader in sports,” Coach Hurt noted. “Opening doors, breaking stereotypes, and making sure the next generation has even greater opportunities than we have had.” She also experienced her own challenges, such as when an early colleague questioned whether she had any idea what was happening because she was a woman, but she never permitted doubt to get started. “Being female does not diminish my credentials or the fact that I worked every step of the way to reach where I am at. I am here,” she insisted.
In our conversation, Coach Hurt emphasized the importance of communication and support. “Supporting coaches and athletes is all about communication and support. “Supporting coaches and athletes is all about communication and trust. When coaches and athletes feel supported, it is a positive culture where everyone can thrive,” she said. Her message to students, especially young women, is this: your gender doesn’t have to define you.”Girls involved in sports become women who lead,” she said. “I want my girls to know that their voice matters, their dreams are attainable, and never ever think they must shrink their dreams because they are girls.”
From throwing a party to celebrate the success of Oakwood’s girl’s soccer team to watching students become more confident and proficient, Coach Hurt’s vision directs the department. Her leadership ensures athletics at Oakwood is about so much more than winning, that it is about developing resilience, empowerment, and a lifetime of sports enthusiasm.
In addition to Coach Hurts’ leadership, Peyton Hutson serves as the Assistant Athletic Director, while also being a PE teacher. The experience she brings, from a practical point of view, lends to the department’s leadership position. From a young age, Coach Hutson knew she wanted a future in athletics. “I have known since middle school and high school that I wanted to work in athletics,” she shared. “Sports were the only thing I really knew. I just knew that one day I wanted to have the same effect on athletes that my coaches had on me.” Growing up, sports were central in her family; she played soccer and volleyball, cheered, and even traveled most weekends for games, while her brother did the same in his sports. That early exposure, paired with her parents’ constant encouragement, inspired her to pursue a career where she could impact her athletes the same impact in the same way her coaches impacted her.
Coach Hutson’s journey didn’t stop after high school. At Campbell University, she worked with the football team for two years, later becoming Assistant Director of Equipment Operations for the entire athletic department while completing her Master’s degree. Within months, she was promoted to Director of Equipment Operations. “Once I got to college, being involved in athletics did not stop,” Coach Hutson said. “I was completely out of my comfort zone, but I absolutely loved what I did. I now believe that anything you put your mind to is possible, even if it is out of your comfort zone.”
Eventually, Coach Hutson sought a new path, one that kept her connected to sports while allowing her to mentor younger athletes more directly. That choice brought her to Oakwood, where she now teaches PE and serves as Assistant Athletic Director. Her leadership style is rooted in open communication and trust. “For athletes, that means making sure they feel valued, supported, and challenged in their development of a sport. For coaches, that means making sure they have every resource they need, as well as encouragement and their own space to lead effectively and efficiently,” she explained.
Coach Hutson also hopes her example as a woman in sports leadership sends a clear message to her students, especially young women. “My advice to students who want to pursue leadership roles in sports would be to take every opportunity given to them in athletics,” she said. “Apply to all the internships and gain the work experience that can help you achieve your goals. If one internship doesn’t work out, don’t give up – keep trying .”
Together, Coach Hurt and Coach Hutson create a balance of guidance and fresh perspective that strengthens Oakwood’s athletics. Moreover, they prove women can excel at the highest levels in a mainly male-dominated area. Their partnership ensures that students experience a program that values both athletic achievement and personal growth, preparing them for success on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
Want to read more? Read our Q&A with Coach Hurt and Coach Hutson below:
Q&A with Coach Hurt:
Background & Inspiration
What inspired you to take on a leadership role in school sports?
What inspired me to take on a leadership role in school sports is the impact that athletics has on student-athletes. Athletics instills confidence, teamwork, leadership, and growth as individuals. There was never a period of time where I wasn’t involved in sports growing up. I played soccer, ice hockey, and basketball. Sports taught me discipline, resilience, and how to work with others toward a common goal. I also felt it was important, as a woman in sports, to step into leadership roles, so that my female students could see representation and know that opportunities exist for them too. Being in this role allows me to support athletes, mentor coaches, and advocate for programs that enrich the whole school community.
Did you have any role models who influenced your journey in athletics or leadership?
My father was probably my first role model in athletics and leadership. When I was rowing up, he coached women’s college soccer and men’s ice hockey, so my older brother and I were always on the soccer field or at the hockey rink with our parents. Being immersed in that environment from such a young age had a huge impact on me. I was surrounded by incredible female athletes from all over the world and watching their passion, work ethic, and love for the game really shaped my childhood and inspired me to pursue my own journey.
As I have gotten older, the women I look up to are the ones that are breaking barriers in the sports world. There are too many to name but it’s such an exciting time for women’s sports!
How did you first get involved in sports, and how has that shaped who you are today?
At a very young age, I was immersed in the sports world. After school I could always be found at my dads soccer or ice hockey practices and games. My older brother was an incredible athlete and he was definitely my first idol. If he was playing a sport, so was I. As soon as I could walk I was playing soccer and skating on the hockey rink or a frozen lake or pond. My parents were always supportive and never once told me I couldn’t do something because I was a female. That foundation really shaped who I am today and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and never give up.
Leadership & Experience
What does it mean to you to be in this leadership role as a woman in sports?
Being in this leadership role as a woman in sports is both a privilege and a responsibility. I love being able to support athletes, coaches, and programs that shape students’ lives. It also means I’m setting an example for young women and showing them that they can lead, influence, and succeed, even in spaces where they may not always see themselves represented. For me, it’s about opening doors, challenging stereotypes, and making sure the next generation has even more opportunities than we did.
Have you faced any challenges or stereotypes in this position, and how have you overcome them?
Yes, I’ve definitely faced challenges and stereotypes in this role. Early in my career, when I was an athletic director at a small middle school in North Carolina, the football coach made it clear he wasn’t supportive of a female in the position. One of the first things he asked me was, ‘How old are you?’ Later, during football season, he asked me to order more athletic tape and then added, “Do you even know what athletic tape is?” That moment really stuck with me. At the time, it took me by surprise, but looking back, it became a pivotal point in my career. I realized that there would be times when people might look down on me because of my gender, but I decided right then that I would never doubt myself. Being a woman doesn’t diminish my qualifications or the fact that I’ve earned every position I’ve held. I belong here, and I’m not less than because of my gender.
How do you balance supporting both athletes and coaches under your leadership?
Balancing support for athletes and coaches is all about communication and trust. I try to provide my coaches with the resources and guidance they need to be successful, while also giving them freedom to lead their teams. For athletes, I want to create as many opportunities as possible and make sure they know they are understood, supported, and have what they need to grow both individually and as a team. When coaches and athletes feel supported by their athletic department, it creates a positive culture where everyone can thrive.
Impact on Students & Community
What message do you hope your leadership sends to students, especially young women in sports?
I hope that I show our students that being female is never a limitation. As women, we are capable of achieving the same things as men, whether that’s in athletics, leadership, or any other area of life. Being a woman and a mom doesn’t make me less capable, in fact, it adds strength, perspective, and resilience. I want our girls to see that their voice matters, their goals are within reach, and that they should never feel they have to shrink their dreams simply because of gender.
How do you encourage female athletes at the school to feel confident and motivated?
I want our female students to be proud of who they are and to feel confident trying new things. At Oakwood, there are so many opportunities to get involved, and I want our girls to feel empowered to step into those opportunities and lead in ways that feel right for them. As for athletics, I want our students to know sports are for everyone, you can find your sport, try something new, and grow through the experience. One of my favorite quotes is, “Girls who play sports become women who lead,” and I truly believe that.
Vision & Future
If you could give advice to students who want to pursue leadership roles in sports, what would it be?
My advice would be to get involved with athletics in any way you can, whether it’s playing, managing, coaching, or supporting a team. The more you immerse yourself in the athletic world, the more you’ll learn and grow. Most importantly, never believe that your gender limits what you can do. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong, you’ve earned your place, and your voice and leadership matter.
Fun / Personal Angle
Do you have a favorite sport or team you follow passionately?
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team! If they’re playing- I’m watching!
What’s the most exciting game or moment you’ve experienced while working here?
Definitely the success of our girl’s soccer team last year! I don’t think I could pick a specific moment I love most but I will never forget our state playoff run and I am SO proud of our entire team and all of their hard work. We accomplished GREAT things last season and I CANNOT WAIT for this season!
Q&A with Peyton Hutson
Background & Inspiration
What inspired you to take on a leadership role in school sports?
I have known since middle school and high school that I wanted to work in athletics. Sports is something that I’ve always known. I was playing school sports and travel soccer and my brother was doing school sports and traveling on the weekends for sports so we were always gone and sports was the only thing I really knew. I just knew that one day I wanted to have the same effect on athletes that my coaches had on me.
Did you have any role models who influenced your journey in athletics or leadership?
My parents because they always pushed me to get better and to never give up. Athletics has always been a big part of our family.
How did you first get involved in sports, and how has that shaped who you are today?
Both of my parents grew up playing sports, so they wanted my brother and I to try the same sports they did. I grew up playing soccer and volleyball and cheered. Once I got to college, being involved in athletics did not stop. I worked with Campbell University’s football team for two years. After graduation, I got hired on to be the Assistant Director of Equipment Operations for the whole athletic department while getting a master’s degree at the same time. After 5 months, I was promoted to the Director of Equipment Operations in which I stayed in that position for a little over a year. College athletics is constantly changing and I knew I needed something different so I decided to take a step back from the college athletics world and take a different path but still in athletics. That is what brought me to where I am today as a Physical Education Teacher and Assistant Athletic Director.
When I first started playing sports, I was very shy and not outgoing. However, once I started college and got to experience something new and different, it changed who I was. I was completely out of my comfort zone but I absolutely loved what I did. I now believe that anything you put your mind to is possible even if it is out of your comfort zone.
Leadership & Experience
Have you faced any challenges or stereotypes in this position, and how have you overcome them?
Not yet since I just started this position.
How do you balance supporting both athletes and coaches under your leadership?
I believe the best way to balance supporting both athletes and coaches under my leadership is prioritizing open communication and trust. For athletes, that is making sure they feel valued, supported, and challenged in their development of a sport. For coaches, that is making sure they have all the right resources they need, as well as encouragement and their own space to lead the team effectively and efficiently.
Vision & Future
What are your goals for the school’s sports program moving forward?
How do you hope to see women’s roles in sports evolve at our school and beyond?
If you could give advice to students who want to pursue leadership roles in sports, what would it be?
My advice to students who want to pursue leadership roles in sports would be to take every opportunity given to them in athletics. Apply to all the internships and gain the work experience that can help you achieve a goal that one might have. If one internship that you really want doesn’t work out, don’t give up and keep trying because all opportunities given will matter.
Fun / Personal Angle
Do you have a favorite sport or team you follow passionately?
North Carolina Tar Heels, football and basketball
