Botts returned to Lenoir-Rhyne in the fall of 2024 after spending the previous two years as the Associate Athletics Director for Fan Engagement & Marketing at the University of Alabama Birmingham. In her role with the Blazers, she oversaw all brand management and marketing efforts, including a rebrand for the state's largest employer. She was a key part in UAB's comprehensive brand campaign, and helped increase athletics licensing revenue.
Prior to her time at UAB, Botts served as the Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Engagement at Lenoir-Rhyne. While at LR, she was vital in helping create one of the best gameday atmospheres in Division II. Botts was instrumental in the creation of 828 Day and the "Paint the Town Red" campaign. In just the second year of the event being in-person, 828 Day was a finalist for the 2022 NCAA Division II Award for Excellence. Under Botts' leadership, the LR Marketing Department won three national awards at the 2020-21 NACMA Best of Awards, including a gold medal in the "Community Engagement & PR" category. She has also served on NACMA's Fan Development and Brand Ambassador committees.
A 2016 graduate of Appalachian State, Botts was a four-year member of the Mountaineer Cheerleading team and was named the team MVP her senior year. She earned her MBA in Non-Profit Management from Lenoir-Rhyne and her bachelor's in Communications, Public Relations from App State. Botts will assume direct oversight of marketing, branding, and community engagement for the department.
Leah is married to Tanner Botts, member of the LR football and men's lacrosse teams from 2011-2015. They currently reside in Hickory.
