The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), which is in the beginning stages of gaining approval to become the 24th NCAA Division II athletic conference, has named Tom Daeger the conference's first commissioner.
"Tom Daeger's experience and vision provide an incredible jumpstart for the G-MAC,” said Cedarville University President and Chair of President's Council, Dr. Bill Brown. “The momentum for the new conference continues to grow. Tom's leadership will raise everything to a new level."
Daeger has served as the Associate Commissioner of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (NCAA Division II) since 2008. Prior to holding the Associate Commissioner position with the GLVC, Daeger was the Sports Information Director for the conference (2006-2008) and was promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations & Championships in 2008, before being named Associate Commissioner later that same year.
“It is a tremendous honor to have been selected as the first commissioner of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference,” said Daeger. “The passion of the G-MAC leadership towards forming a conference that embraces the NCAA Division II philosophy, and provides a balanced experience for their student-athletes, is infectious. I am eager to serve this membership and am grateful to have the opportunity to help the G-MAC grow from its inception.”
The G-MAC currently features six member institutions from Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, including Cedarville University (Cedarville, Ohio), Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio), Kentucky Wesleyan College (Owensboro, Ky.), Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville, Tenn.), Urbana University (Urbana, Ohio), and Ursuline College (Pepper Pike, Ohio).
"We are excited that Tom has chosen to accept the position. His experience of working under GLVC Commissioner [Jim] Naumovich will serve the G-MAC well,” said Central State Athletic Director and search committee chairperson, Kellen Winslow. “His vision and passion for the G-MAC sealed the deal for the search committee."
“The six charter members have worked hard to identify fellow institutions with similar academic profiles within their geographic region that share the common goal of providing a complete collegiate experience for their students,” said Daeger. “It is an exciting time to be affiliated with these institutions and I look forward to embracing their shared mission."
Application to become a recognized NCAA Division II conference and further conference expansion are two of Daeger's first duties as commissioner.
“I am eager to assist the league in the finalization of its NCAA Division II conference membership application and will focus on the conference's continued growth,” said Daeger. “The G-MAC presidents have made a commitment to providing a model NCAA Division II conference office and I look forward to fulfilling their expectations.”
Daeger has worked with the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference as Sports Information Director (2001-2006) and served terms on the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer and Baseball Regional Advisory Committees, as the Chair for the CoSIDA NCAA Legislation Committee (2007-2009), and as North Central Regional Chair of the Daktronics Division II All-America Baseball Program (2008-2009).
Originally from Indianapolis, Daeger graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2000 with a B.S. in Communications with a concentration in Sports Information, where he was a member of the very successful baseball program.
A three-time captain, he guided his team to a third place finish in the Division II NCAA World Series in 2000 after winning the NCAA Midwest Regional and earning Team MVP honors. He was Freshman of the Year in 1996, All-GLVC in 1998, and a three-time Academic All-GLVC (1998-2000). Daeger earned his Master's of Science degree in Sports Management in 2006 from California University of Pennsylvania.
