Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda, announced today the appointment of a new board member to the CWSA. The CWSA Board of Directors is pleased to include Bess Barnes, Vice President of Programming at CBS Sports.

Barnes joins the board as the media representative, which was previously held by Emilie Deutsch, Vice President of Original Programming & Features at CBS Sports.

“I am honored to join the board of the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards and look forward to working alongside this prestigious group of women,” stated Barnes. “As a former collegiate golfer, I am thrilled to support the growth of women’s sports and celebrate female student-athletes.”

Barnes oversees college basketball and golf programming for CBS Sports, including scheduling, acquisitions and partner relations while working closely with the conferences, leagues and organizations. She also manages the scheduling for more than 300 college basketball games across CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.

Across the collegiate landscape, she manages relationships with key league and school partners, including the NCAA and Big Ten, among others, while also creating programming schedules for marquee properties, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, regular season college basketball and PGA TOUR golf.

She is the co-chair of the corporate cross-departmental WE NEED TO TALK Steering Committee, which focuses on expanding the reach and impact of CBS Sports’ multiplatform brand WE NEED TO TALK, anchored by the first-ever all-women sports studio show.

“The CWSA Board of Directors is pleased to welcome the very talented Bess Barnes to our ranks,” said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, CWSA Executive Committee Chair. “Her commitment and love for college sports along with her creativity and understanding of the opportunities that lie ahead for growing women’s sports on television make her perfectly qualified to lend her experience and expertise to our Board of Directors. We look forward to working with Bess in continuing the celebration of ‘the best of the best’ in women’s intercollegiate athletics.”

“It is clear that as Bess Barnes replaces the retiring and impactful Emilie Deutsch as a media representative to our Board of Directors that we are fortunate to still have the passion and purpose they both bring woven into an impressive bio,” said Voelz. “We value CBS Sports as a media partner and are excited to have the benefit of their continued expertise on our Board of Directors.”

The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. 

The Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards airs live on CBS Sports Network on Monday, June 24 at 7:00 PM, ET.

Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs. 

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.