DENVER - Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Karl Benson today announced the appointment of Connie Hurlbut as Senior Associate Commissioner. Hurlbut brings a wealth of experience to the WAC after having served in various sports organizations over the past 25 years including being the NCAA's first female commissioner of a Division I conference at the Patriot League in 1993. She replaces Darlene Bailey who left the WAC to become the Athletics Director at her alma mater, William Jewell College.
"The WAC member institutions are very fortunate to have Connie join the conference office staff," said Benson. "She brings a wealth of experience and expertise and has been one of the country's most accomplished athletics administrators. She will provide the WAC with great leadership and will take on a very important role, both on a regional and national basis as the WAC continues to grow as one of the country's premier athletic conferences."
Hurlbut will manage the NCAA governance process for the WAC's nine member institutions. In addition, she will also work directly with the WAC presidents/chancellors, athletic directors, senior woman administrators and faculty representatives in administering the WAC's strategic plan that has been in place for the past three years. And, she will also be the primary liaison to the WAC's women's basketball coaches and volleyball coaches and will play an active role in the overall administration of the two sports including officiating, regular season scheduling, championships, marketing and promotions.
Prior to her arrival at the WAC, Hurbut held various positions at the Ivy League, United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, University of Delaware, Seton Hall University, Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference, Rutgers University and the WNBA after her stint with the Patriot League. At the WNBA, she oversaw all aspects of the league's officiating program, was responsible for scheduling, and administered all events and on-court operations.
From 1993-1999, Hurlbut served as Executive Director of the Patriot League, becoming the first woman to lead an all-sport Division I athletic conference. While there, she held several NCAA committee positions including the Division I Women's Basketball Committee and the Division I Management Council.
She began her career in collegiate administration at the Eastern College Athletic Conference as an assistant commissioner after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Hurlbut and her husband, Steve, have two children - Jack (16) and Maggie (13). They have lived in the greater Denver area since 2006.
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