Haglund Tabbed as Commissioner of GNAC
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Dave Haglund, who has been the commissioner of the Pacific Northwest-based Cascade Collegiate Conference since 2007, has been appointed the new commissioner of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
The appointment was announced by Dr. Bruce Shepard, chair of the GNAC CEO Board.
Haglund, who is currently in his 31st year in intercollegiate athletics (mostly at the NCAA Division I level), will replace Richard R. Hannan, who has been the GNAC's commissioner since the NCAA Division II conference was founded in July, 2001.
Haglund will assume his new duties Jan. 9. Eastern Oregon University athletic director Rob Cashell will assume responsibilities as interim commissioner of the CCC.
“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 Dr. James L. Gaudino, Central Washington University president, who was a member of the selection committee.
"I think I can speak for the whole committee when I say we're excited to see how he will build on the solid foundation that Richard [Hannan, the retiring commissioner] helped lay for the GNAC.”
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the commissioner of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference,” said Haglund. “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 has been responsible for all aspects of conference operations, including media relations, marketing, sponsorships, officiating, scheduling, rules and regulations, finances and enforcement.
Haglund spearheaded efforts to successfully land six NAIA national championships for the conference, including four in men's and women's cross country, and two in men's golf. His 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 CCC through marketing, media relations and sponsorship efforts, including the use of social media platforms and the development of a weekly podcast highlighting accomplishments by CCC student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
Prior to taking over as the commissioner of the CCC, Haglund spent 10 years on the senior-management team at the University of Maryland. He led Maryland's media relations department when the Terps won the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship and played in a BCS bowl game, and he supervised 12 sports and four support units. He also oversaw ACC and NCAA championship events hosted by the university.
Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Haglund spent 17 seasons in the sports information department at Fresno State University, including the last three as the director coordinating all sports information and media relations efforts for a 20-sport varsity athletic program.
Haglund is a native of Portland and graduated from Oregon State University. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Samantha (18) and Matthew (15).