Life University Athletics

On October 26, 2016 Pendergast was named Life University Director of Athletics. During her time at Life U, the Athletic Department has seen tremendous growth, including the addition of fourteen new varsity teams, growing the department to over 600 student-athletes, the largest athletic program in metro-Atlanta.  In 2026, she was additionally appointed Executive Advisor for Strategic Priorities, working directly with the University President on institution-wide strategic initiatives.
 
Under Pendergast’s leadership, Life University’s athletic success has soared.  Life University has landed inside the top 15 of the Learfield Director’s Cup final standings the last five years, with their highest finish (7^th) in the 2023 and top 10 finishes in 2025 and 2026.  Life U has seen five NAIA team National Championships in the last five years, and over 50 individual national champions.  In addition to their NAIA success, Life University sits atop the USA Rugby collegiate side, capturing numerous national championships across the women’s collegiate, men’s collegiate, and club sides.  Academically, Life University student-athletes have demonstrated their highest collective academic achievements under Pendergast’s leadership, continuously growing department GPA and earning an increased number of student-athlete and team academic recognition awards year over year.  At the root to the department’s success, Pendergast has hired numerous head coaches who have earned conference and national coach of the year honors, driving their programs to national recognition.

The priorities of the department under her leadership have focused on strategic growth, operational excellence, and a meaningful student-athlete experience – all alongside competitive success. With over $8 million in facility upgrades that complemented department growth, Pendergast has overseen the construction of the Running Eagles Performance Center, track renovation, four digital scoreboard installations, upper gym renovation, and two turf field projects.  

Pendergast has held numerous leadership positions across the NAIA and collegiate sports.  Pendergast is currently on the NAIA National Administrative Council Executive Committee and serves as sport liaison for women’s wrestling.  She has served on volleyball national tournament selection committee, as well as women’s wrestling and flag football championship steering committees.  Outside of the NAIA, Pendergast has served as Vice President of the Board of Directors of National Collegiate Rugby, the largest collegiate rugby governing body in the United States.  She remains a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), NAIA Athletic Directors Association, and Women Leaders in College Sports.  She is also a member of the Cobb Sports Alliance Steering Committee, and a member at Piedmont Church.
 
Pendergast was named 2023 Southern States Athletic Director of the Year, 2024 Women Leaders in Sports Nike NAIA Executive of the Year, and was named a 2024 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. 

Pendergast and her husband Tripp reside in Marietta, Ga. with their son, Brooks, and daughter, Logan.