ARLINGTON, Texas – Kathy Saunders, a longtime member of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association's Board of Directors who was the first female to serve as CBAA Chair, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 26, at her home in California at the age of 73.
 
Saunders was a stalwart on the CBAA Board since 1999 and ascended to become the first female to be CBAA Chair from 2008-10.
 
A titan in the television business, Saunders spent 28 years with Fox Television Stations before retiring in 2023. Saunders spent 26 years as Senior Vice President and General Manager of KDFW-TV and KDFI-TV. She joined the Fox Television Stations as Vice President and General Manager of WFXT-TV Boston. Her stops prior to FOX included KDAF-TV in Dallas, WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh and KCTV-TV in Kansas City.
 
The University of Kansas alumnae was named Texas Association of Broadcasters' Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year in 2022 and Broadcasting & Cable's General Manager of the Year in 2019. In addition to her service on the CBAA Board of Directors, Saunders held board roles on the North Texas Final Four Local Organizing Committee, Girls Inc., was a member of the Texas Association of Broadcasters and held various roles and received many awards from the Alliance for Women in Media.
 
"Kathy was a trailblazer whose vision and passion left an indelible mark on the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association," said Rick Baker, CBAA President/Chief Executive Officer. "As the first female to serve as our Chair, Kathy's leadership was dynamic and forward-thinking, shaping the future of the organization and game she loved. Her dedication to excellence both in her remarkable career in television and at the helm of the Cotton Bowl Classic will continue to inspire for years to come. We are all grateful for her contributions and celebrate the remarkable impact she had on so many throughout her life."