GNAC Assistant to the Commissioner Internship
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Assistant to the Commissioner. The NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority & Women’s Internship Grant Program has awarded the GNAC a 20-month internship grant over the next two academic years (2020-21 & 2021-22). This position will provide the intern the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the management of the day-to-day operations of a college conference. This position will be headquartered in Winthrop, Mass.
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) seeks qualified applicants for the position of Assistant to the Commissioner. The NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority & Women’s Internship Grant Program has awarded the GNAC a two-year grant. This position will provide the intern the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the management of the day-to-day operations of a college athletic conference as well as participation in the development and implementation of a conference strategic initiative.
QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s degree and a sincere desire to launch a career in college athletics administration. Preferred experience in media relations, desktop publishing, social media, website management, and general computer knowledge. Strong writing, communication, organizational, research and multitasking skills, and a working knowledge of intercollegiate athletics are preferred. This full-time 10-month position reports to and is evaluated by the conference Commissioner. The GNAC office is based in Winthrop, Mass. Salary will be $23,660 for 10 months. $8,000 in benefits will be provided as will $3,000 for the intern’s professional development. Anticipated start date is July 6, 2020. The successful candidate will attend an orientation at the end of July 2020 at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis and attend the January 2021 NCAA Convention in Washington DC. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel and work nights and weekend in accordance with conference game and meeting schedules.
Qualified applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume and three references (with phone numbers and email addresses) electronically to Commissioner Joe Walsh at joewalsh@thegnac.com.
Under the guidance of the Commissioner, Director of Media Relations and the intern’s mentor the Assistant to the Commissioner will be assigned the following responsibilities:
A. 2020 GNAC Professional Development Seminar: Every two years, the GNAC, through the NCAA strategic grant, conducts a professional development seminar (PDS) for all coaches, assistants, ADs, SIDs, ATCs, Deans of Students and Presidents (averages 200 plus per PDS). Over the years the themes have included: Student Athlete Well Being; Sportsmanship; Gender Equity; Mental Health and Game Day the DIII Way. The PDS is a sizeable event to coordinate and the intern, as the point person, will work closely with the commissioner and the assistant commissioner on everything from coordination of the conference budget, location, menu, and keynote speaker(s) to the publicity and feedback on the seminar
B. Conference Communications: The intern will work with the GNAC Assistant Commissioner and Director of Media Relations to learn how to complete various tasks including the archival process of conference data and statistics on the GNAC website. The intern will become fluent in Presto, film exchange and Statcrew software systems as well as the rapidly evolving changes in these technologies. The intern will design and write weekly releases, publicize conference to media, and update website and statistics. The intern will also assist the GNAC Director of Media Relations in working with athletic directors, coaches and institutional SIDs to solicit nominations for GNAC player of the week and player of year nominations as well as compiling nominations for the GNAC Man and GNAC Woman of the Year Awards, the GNAC Sportsmanship and Commissioner’s Cups Awards, and assist with the ongoing compilation of the GNAC record book
C. Championships: Assist the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner/Director of Media Relations in overseeing conference championships and playoffs including event operations, delivery, setup and presentation of awards. Will work with the hosting school on post-game publicity
D. Oversee initiative to recruit new sport officials: Visit GNAC campuses to identify and recruit potential sport officials from the student athletes at member institutions. The NCAA intern will be an important link to this unique program that provides aspiring sports officials a first introduction to officiating. The intern will also work with assignors for the various sports in setting up training and certification for the officiating recruits.
E. Conference SAAC Coordinator: Attend SAAC meetings at each of the GNAC schools. Work in collaboration with each institution’s SAAC Advisors. Organize and oversee three annual GNAC SAAC Leadership events involving student athletes from our 13 member institutions. Create a SAAC page for the GNAC webpage
F. Strategic planning: The intern will work with the commissioner researching all aspects of DIII conferences, affiliations, finances and historical records for all sports
H. Community: The intern will coordinate the recruitment and work assignments at the 16th annual Brian Honan 5K. For the past 15 years. 100+ GNAC student-athletes have volunteered each year
I. Compliance and Governance: Assist Commissioner with NCAA and GNAC rules interpretations, enforcement, eligibility, and membership rules education.
J. Additional Duties/Projects: As assigned by the Commissioner and/or Assistant Commissioner
The GNAC is an NCAA Division III conference of 13 institutions: Albertus Magnus College (New Haven, CT); Anna Maria College (Paxton MA); Colby-Sawyer College (New London NH); Dean College (Franklin, MA); Emmanuel College (Boston); Johnson & Wales University (Providence, RI); Lasell University (Newton, MA); Norwich University (Northfield, VT); Regis College (Weston MA); Rivier University (Nashua, NH); University of Saint Joseph (West Hartford, CT); Saint Joseph’s College of Maine; Simmons University (Boston). The GNAC currently sponsors championships in 22 sports for men and women. Elms College, Eastern Nazarene College, Emerson College, Husson University, Lesley University, Wentworth University, are associate members of the conference. The GNAC also enjoys outstanding professional partnerships with Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Division, Honan Charitable Foundation, Northwest Designs Ink, Reading Trophy and Presto Sports.