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Haglund to lead Great Northwest Athletic Conference

NCAA.org

Dave Haglund, commissioner of the NAIA’s Cascade Collegiate Conference since 2007, has been appointed the new commissioner of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Haglund, currently in his 31st year in intercollegiate athletics, replaces Richard R. Hannan, who has been the GNAC’s commissioner since the conference was founded in July 2001. 

Haglund will assume his new duties Jan. 9.

“Dave brings a wealth of experience and a record of success in athletics administration to the position, including his previous work as a commissioner,” said Central Washington President James L. Gaudino, who was a member of the selection committee.  

 “It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the commissioner of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference,” Haglund said. “The GNAC is widely considered one of the premier conferences in NCAA Division II, and I am humbled for the opportunity to assume a leadership role with such an outstanding association.

“I fully embrace the core values championed by Division II and look forward to partnering with our campus leaders, student-athletes and GNAC staff in building on the outstanding accomplishments achieved under the guidance of outgoing commissioner Richard Hannan.”

During his tenure with the Cascade Collegiate Conference, Haglund was responsible for all aspects of conference operations, including media relations, marketing, sponsorships, officiating, scheduling, rules and regulations, finances, and enforcement.

Haglund’s leadership resulted in more the $350,000 in sponsorships and gift-in-kind contributions for national championships hosted by the conference office.

Haglund also raised the profile of the conference through marketing, media relations and sponsorship efforts, including the use of social media platforms and the development of a weekly podcast highlighting accomplishments by student-athletes, coaches and administrators. 

Before taking over at the Cascade Collegiate Conference, Haglund spent 10 years on the senior management team at the University of Maryland, College Park.