[U.S. WOMEN'S LEAGUE] Cheryl Bailey, the former general manager of the U.S. women's national team program, has been named the executive director for the new women's soccer league that U.S. Soccer will launch in the spring of 2013.

Bailey, a longtime athletics administrator, served as the U.S. women's GM for five years from 2007 through 2011.

"Cheryl was a highly regarded employee for U.S. Soccer during her time with the women's national team and she has the perfect skill set and experience to help get this league up and running," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "Cheryl was one of the many pioneers for intercollegiate women's athletics and was immersed in the inner works of elite women's soccer for five years. We're excited to have her on board."

Bailey was the senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator at the University of Wisconsin for 15 years (1990-2005). Before moving to Madison, she had been the athletic director at Division III Denison, where she was the head soccer coach, head track & field coach and an assistant professor.

"It was a wonderful experience to be a part of the women's national team for five years and see first-hand the impact that women's soccer players can have as role models," said Bailey. "The new league is another extension of that and a vitally important part of the continued growth of the sport in the United States. I am dedicated to ensuring that this league is set up with the best possible business model that emphasizes sustainability above all else while giving players a competitive environment in which to play and creating something special for young girls to aspire to."