The Pacific West Conference (PacWest) is an NCAA Division II collegiate athletic conference formed in 1992 when the Great Northwest Conference merged with the Continental Divide Conference. Today, the PacWest aspires to become the premier NCAA Division II conference with member institutions that champion the highest levels of student-athlete excellence in academics, competition, and the community. The conference sponsors 15 sports programs in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field, softball, and women’s volleyball. The PacWest is the most geographically diverse conference in Division II, comprised of 11 universities in northern and southern California and Hawai’i with expansion plans to increase to 14 schools by 2024-2025. Current institutional members are the Academy of Art University, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Concordia University Irvine, Dominican University of California, Fresno Pacific University, University of Hawai’i Hilo, Hawai’i Pacific University, Point Loma Nazarene University, and Westmont College.

The PacWest supports the educational mission of college athletics by fostering a balanced approach in which student-athletes learn and develop through their desired academic pursuits, civic engagement with their communities, and athletics competition. PacWest athletics programs also are committed to establishing an inclusive culture in which persons of all backgrounds are respected and encouraged to provide input and participate.

The Position

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The Pacific West Conference (PacWest) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and enthusiastic leader to serve as the next commissioner. As the chief administrative officer of the conference and an ex officio member, without a vote, of the executive board, the commissioner provides general and active management of the affairs of the conference and manages all operational, financial, and legal matters. The commissioner will provide leadership to the conference to ensure that intercollegiate athletic activity on the campuses of member institutions is consistent with the philosophy, rules, and regulations of the PacWest and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. The next commissioner will promote positive, balanced student-athlete experiences; foster excellence for student-athletes, teams, institutions, and the conference; embrace diversity and inclusivity; and lead, work, and compete with integrity and sportsmanship at all times.

Reporting directly to the executive board chair, the next commissioner will work collaboratively with conference member presidents, faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, senior woman administrators, coaches, and staff members. The commissioner will provide visionary leadership, strategic development, management, and scheduling of a comprehensive NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics conference with 11 member institutions, four associate members, and 15 sports programs. Additionally, the commissioner will supervise, evaluate, and mentor all conference staff; manage a comprehensive operating budget of approximately $1 million; and maintain relations with the NCAA and other external organizations, serving as a primary resource to member institutions regarding NCAA Division II compliance and championship issues, and conference constitution and bylaws issues.

The new commissioner will oversee conference meetings, legislation, budgeting, marketing, education, eligibility, sportsmanship, championships, scheduling, awards, and staff management. The commissioner will provide leadership and support for conference standing committees, including those of the executive board (institution CEOs) and advisory board (institution ADs). The ideal candidate will continue to enhance the competitiveness of the PacWest; oversee the development, implementation, and progress of the conference’s strategic plan and regularly report to the executive board on its progress; and maintain ethical and sound fiscal responsibility for the annual budget, membership dues, sponsorship, revenue generation, and audits. The commissioner will develop and market the conference brand, distinguishing and championing the conference’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and continued enhancement of the student-athlete experience to strengthen membership. The next commissioner serves as the primary conference liaison to the NCAA, is a member of the Division II Commissioners’ Committees, and promotes the various NCAA committees throughout the PacWest.

The conference maintains a mailing address in Irvine, California; however, all conference employees currently work remotely. The selected candidate will be expected to work remotely within the conference footprint of California or Hawai‘i. The conference commissioner is expected to travel frequently.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

A bachelor’s degree, significant, progressive professional experience related to NCAA athletics or a similar field, and a commitment to the values, standards, and expectations of Division II athletics are required. An extensive and accomplished background in collegiate athletics; collegiate-level coaching; conference management experience; experience with senior leaders, executives, and/or boards; and a master’s degree in athletics administration or a related field are preferred. The successful candidate will comprehensively understand intercollegiate athletics administration, the current dynamic landscape of higher education, conference marketing and membership development, and NCAA compliance within a Division II environment. The next commissioner should have the ability to mentor and inspire the professional development of conference staff, a commitment to upholding the quality of academics and academic integrity, and demonstrated strategic planning acumen. A collaborative management approach; superior communication and relationship-building skills; a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social responsibility; strong planning and fiscal competencies; familiarity with technology, program development, and assessment; and excellent problem-solving abilities are also desired.

Additionally, as articulated by PacWest stakeholders, the successful candidate will ideally possess the following qualities and attributes:

  • High level of personal and professional ethics
  • Strong executive-level presence and reporting capabilities
  • Experience within higher education and a demonstrated understanding of campus issues related to recruitment and retention of student-athletes, budgeting and finance, fundraising and capital improvements, and marketing and brand recognition
  • Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to successfully navigate various constituent relationships and build consensus
  • Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with the executive board, athletic directors, student-athletes, coaches, staff members, and other constituents important to the success of PacWest
  • Strong problem-solving skills with an inclusive and collaborative approach to managing change
  • Ability to remain calm in crises, to act decisively, and to apply timely, sound judgment in determining appropriate action
  • Good listener who can synthesize information and eloquently articulate conference goals and initiatives to individuals outside the conference
  • Technical savvy and aptitude that seeks to create conference efficiencies
  • Eagerness to improve by bringing people together, turning thoughts and ideas into action, speaking up, and ensuring others are heard
  • Equity-minded leadership, flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines for various assignments

HISTORY OF THE POSITION

Bob Hogue, who has been the commissioner of the PacWest since 2007, will retire in June 2023. During his tenure, the PacWest has won six NCAA Division II national championships, with 13 additional national finalists. Twenty teams from the PacWest won NCAA Division II West Region titles, and three times, a PacWest athletic program was the NCAA Division II Director’s Cup Champion. Hogue’s departure comes at a time when the PacWest recently added conference tournaments in baseball and softball. The conference is on the verge of adding Jessup University, Menlo College, and Vanguard University to the conference membership, pending NCAA Division II approval.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE

Consistent with the philosophy, values, and goals of its members and the NCAA Division II, the next PacWest commissioner will provide leadership centered on a commitment to high-caliber intra-conference play.

In transitioning to the PacWest, the commissioner will also encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges stakeholders shared in meetings with Spelman Johnson.

  • With the formal arrival of Westmont College and the anticipated arrival of three additional institutional members, the next commissioner will begin to craft a clear conference vision and mission that elevates the identity of the conference, member institutions, and student-athletes while also improving conference competition.
  • The next commissioner will unite conference governance around creative, equitable, and innovative scheduling solutions.
  • Amid ongoing resource constraints, the next commissioner needs to possess strong financial expertise that can leverage the collective purchasing power of the conference to minimize costs. This should involve prioritizing strategic contract negotiations in areas such as transportation, travel, broadcasting, and technology.
  • The next commissioner has an immediate opportunity to expand conference championship experiences to include soccer and volleyball.
  • With an entrepreneurial mindset, the next commissioner must lead conference staff around enhanced sponsorship, marketing and social media, and branding efforts.
  • The next commissioner will be expected to bring a sense of trust and transparency to the PacWest and reinforce an interconnectedness that positions the conference office as a “true partner” to institutional members.
  • The next commissioner will strengthen the reputation of the conference through the enhanced strategic development of conference standing committees, including the executive board (institution CEOs), advisory board (athletic directors), faculty athletic representatives (FAR), senior woman administrators (SWA), compliance administrators, student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), certified athletic trainers (ATC), sports information directors (SID), sports committees, and other administrative groups.
  • The next commissioner will create formal and informal onboarding strategies for new members and shape a strategic conference membership plan that emphasizes priorities and standards around competitiveness, equity, and the student-athlete experience.
  • The next commissioner will exhibit strong communication skills through personal interactions, public presentations, and curating a dynamic and thoughtful online presence.
  • As a visionary leader, the next commissioner will lead the conference’s strategic planning efforts and provide excellent executive-level direction to the executive board, showcasing expertise in conference management.
  • Understanding the challenges impacting institutions within today’s higher education landscape, the next commissioner will provide nimble, thoughtful, and creative solutions to the dynamic challenges facing intercollegiate athletics.
  • The next commissioner will work thoughtfully with all member institutions to address issues raised around competitive standards, including facilities and sports medicine, and will seek to elevate program equity, competition, and student-athlete and spectator health and safety.
  • The next commissioner will provide counsel and direction to the conference athletic directors and be a visible and accessible advocate for a dynamic student-athlete experience.
  • The next commissioner will initiate and support conference goals of diversity, accessibility, equity, and inclusion by actively leading conversations, promoting training and development, and cultivating an equity-minded conference culture.
  • The next commissioner should understand the West region and the changing landscape within intercollegiate athletics.
  • The next commissioner will utilize Division II and industry best practices to promote competition and membership engagement.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

The conference staff members are valued colleagues and contributors to the mission and student-athlete experience for all member institutions. The new commissioner will continue to build strong working relationships with and open dialogue between campus presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, student-athletes, and key campus stakeholders. Additionally, the new commissioner will need to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and set of priorities for the conference to address immediate and long-term needs such as scheduling, membership, sponsorship and revenue generation, branding, and sport equity.

Additional measures of success, as shared by key institutional stakeholders, include the following.

  • The commissioner will be a visible and highly accessible resource for presidents and chancellors, athletic directors, coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
  • The commissioner will bring an executive-level presence, preparedness, and efficiency to working with the executive board and have an appreciation for the role heightened and enhanced communication has in consensus building.
  • The commissioner will support and encourage the athletic directors and will seek to connect the institutional athletic leadership personnel with professional development and grant opportunities within NCAA Division II.
  • The commissioner will strengthen policy and procedure development, adhere to processes for accountability, and demonstrate transparent decision-making.
  • The commissioner will have demonstrated the ability to manage short-term change and long-term development for the conference, including staffing, professional development, facilities management, and strategic planning.
  • The commissioner will support and tirelessly advocate for the student-athlete experience and champion opportunities that promote well-being and healthy competition.
  • The commissioner will respect, encourage, and celebrate the talents of the conference staff while also holding staff accountable to mutually agreed-upon goals.
  • The commissioner will work to establish a long-term scheduling formula that allows member institutions to plan effectively and efficiently.
  • The commissioner will embrace data-informed decision-making and forecasting, and create a comprehensive analysis of institutional support for athletics to elevate program and competitive equity.
  • The commissioner will have established strong working relationships and partnerships with conference and community partners.
  • The commissioner will bring passion and energy to intercollegiate athletics and competition, enhancing pride in the PacWest.
  • The commissioner will bring a personal passion for inclusive excellence that inspires others to embrace the mission and vision of PacWest.
  • The commissioner will think broadly about access and inclusion in athletic environments and how athletics can be a hub for discourse about diversity, inclusion, and understanding differences.
  • The commissioner will create pathways to develop SAAC more fully at the conference level, elevating the PacWest student experience voice at the national level.

Institution & Location

OVERVIEW OF THE PACIFIC WEST CONFERENCE

The Pacific West Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level. PacWest member institutions reside in California and Hawai‘i:

Map of the Pacific West Conference

 

Intercollegiate Sports Programs within the Pacific West Conference

Men’s Sports:

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Golf

Soccer

Tennis

Track and field

 

 

All-time Pacific West Conference championships

Conference background/history

Women’s Sports:

Basketball

Cross Country

Golf

Soccer

Softball

Tennis

Track and Field

Volleyball

PacWest Conference Governance Structure

  • Executive Board
  • Advisory Board
  • Conference Office
  • Senior Woman Administrator Committee
  • Faculty Athletic Representative Committee
  • Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
  • Sports Information Director Committee
  • Certified Athletic Trainer Committee
  • Sport Committees
  • Standing Committees
  • Ad Hoc Committee

PacWest Conference Office Staff

  • Commissioner
  • Senior Associate Commissioner/Senior Woman Administrator
  • Assistant Commissioner
  • Sports Communications Director

Mission and Vision of the Pacific West Conference

Mission

To enable its member institutions to champion the highest levels of student-athlete excellence in the classroom, in competition, on campus, and in the community.

Vision

To become the premier and most diverse NCAA Division II conference.
See here for the strategic planning and goals of the Pacific West Conference.

PacWest Leadership

Executive Board Leadership

Adam Morris, President, Azusa Pacific University (Chair)

Barry Corey, President, Biola University (Chair Elect)

Michael Thomas, President, Concordia University Irvine (Past Chair)

Elisa Stephens, President, Academy of Art University

Lynn Babington, President, Chaminade University of Honolulu

Nicola Pitchford, President, Dominican University

André Stephens, President, Fresno Pacific University

Bonnie Irwin, Chancellor, University of Hawai‘iat Hilo

John Gotanda, President, Hawai‘i Pacific University

Bob Brower, President, Point Loma Nazarene University

Gayle D. Beebe, President, Westmont College

Advisory Board leadership

Brad Jones, Director of Athletics, Academy of Art University

Gary Pine, Director of Athletics, Azusa Pacific University

Bethany Miller, Director of Athletics, Biola University, Biola University

Tom Buning, Director of Athletics, Chaminade University of Honolulu

Crystal Rosenthal, Director of Athletics, Concordia University Irvine

Amy Henkelmen, Director of Athletics, Dominican University

Hillary Markley, Director of Athletics (acting), Fresno Pacific University

Pat Guillen, Director of Athletics, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Debbie Snell, Director of Athletics, Hawai‘i Pacific University

Ethan Hamilton, Director of Athletics, Point Loma Nazarene University

Rob Ruiz, Director of Athletics, Westmont College

Overview of NCAA Division II

Division II is a collection of more than 300 colleges and universities whose athletics programs foster a balanced and inclusive approach in which student-athletes learn and develop through their desired academic pursuits, civic engagement with their communities, and athletics competition.

The Division II experience not only provides student-athletes the opportunity to earn scholarships based on their academic, athletic, and leadership abilities, but it also offers the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions, and it prioritizes preparation for life beyond graduation. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms.

Division II Facts and Figures

SALARY AND BENEFITS OVERVIEW

The anticipated hiring range is $140,000 – $150,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience. PacWest offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance benefits from Blue Shield, retirement benefits, and reimbursement for necessary travel within the conference.

Application & Nomination

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position and questions about the status of the search may be emailed to Dell Robinson at ddr@spelmanjohnson.com or Anne-Marie Kenney at amk@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

Visit the Pacific West Conference website at https://thepacwest.com/index.aspx

The PacWest Conference is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, medical condition, age, military service status, or any other status.

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