NJCAA announces creation of Division Councils
Three councils created to to implement division goals and structures across the NJCAA
Charlotte, NC – At the recent NJCAA Board of Regents January meeting in Charlotte, NC, the Board approved the motion to create three councils to implement philosophical goals and strategies for each of the three NJCAA divisions.
To provide guidance for the association, the three councils will encompass NJCAA leaders from around the country that bring unprecedented experience and knowledge. Each council will be tasked with creating a vision and implementing initiatives that move the association forward collectively.
"The NJCAA is committed to making sure that all three divisions have sound structure, support, and leadership," stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO. "We will utilize these councils to maintain past experiences and growth, while also evaluating and developing future needs that may vary for each division."
The Division I Council will be chaired by Michelle Ivey of Marion Military Institute. Ivey, a member of the NJCAA Board of Regents and the NJCAA Region 22 Women's Director has served as the Director of Athletics at Marion Military for 16 years. Ivey was instrumental in implementing athletic programs, growing the department from zero to its current number of nine throughout her tenure.
Joining Ivey on the Division I Council will be Carl Heinrich, commissioner of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference, Lake-Sumter State (FL) Athletic Director Mike Matulia, Volunteer State (TN) Athletic Director Bobby Hudson, and Rob Nielson, Athletic Director at Snow (UT).
Lind Hartsell, Region 10 representative on the NJCAA Board of Regents will chair the Division II Council. Hartsell, the recent recipient of the George E. Killian Award of Excellence, has been an instrumental leader for the NJCAA for over 20 years.
Hartsell's council for Division II will be comprised of Gary Huber, Region 4 representative on the NJCAA Board of Regents, Central (NE) Athletic Director Mary Young, Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Commissioner Thom McDonald, and Brent Harris, Southwest Mississippi Athletic Director.
Steve Crittenden, Region 13 NJCAA Board of Regents representative has been appointed chair of the Division III Council. Crittenden, the current interim Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Anoka-Ramsey (MN) also serves on the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Executive Committee.
Crittenden's council features a bevy of tenured leaders from NJCAA Division III programs. Gary Broadhurst, Athletic Director at Mohawk Valley (NY), Jo Ann Rogers, Athletic Director at Prince George's (MD), Northampton (PA) Athletic Director Troy Tucker, and Stan Feaster of Ranger (TX) will oversee the Division III strategy.
Competitive sport divisions were launched by the NJCAA in the early 1990's due to the growth and popularity of several sports.
Action for each council will begin effective immediately.
