NEC Athletic Director Lori Runksmeier Named to NCAA Division III Management Council

New England College Athletic Director Lori Runksmeier has been named to the NCAA Division III Management Council effective at the conclusion of the annual NCAA Convention in January.

“Being nominated to serve on the Management Council is both an honor and a responsibility”, expressed Runskmeier. “I look forward to serving the NCAA membership as I continue to learn about Division III issues. I am very excited for this opportunity, and I hope to represent both New England College and the North Atlantic Conference well.”

The NCAA Division III Management Council consists of athletic directors, institutional presidents, faculty athletics representatives and members of campus student-athlete advisory committees (SAAC). It is responsible for a majority of the governance of Division III athletics, charged with resolving issues, overseeing various sports and association-wide committees, and paying special attention to financial aid and women’s athletics. These committees report their actions to the council, which then reports to the NCAA President’s Council.

Runksmeier has served as the athletic director at New England College since 1999 and has been influential in moving both the athletic department and the institution forward. During her tenure at New England College Runksmeier has been instrumental in the addition of seven varsity sports, including women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s indoor track and men’s and women’s outdoor track.

Runksmeier has also overseen several facility upgrades at New England College, most notable the construction of a new turf field and major renovations to the ice hockey rink and training room.  The overall success of at New England College Athletics can not only be measured by the conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances since Runksmeier’s arrival but also by the off the field achievements of the student-athletes, including community service, campus involvement and success in the classroom.

In addition to playing a major role in New England College’s success, Runksmeier has served on several NCAA Committees. Currently Runksmeier chairs the NCAA DIII Interpretations & Legislation Committee; she has also chaired the NCAA DIII Women’s Ice Hockey Committee and served on the NCAA DIII Budget Committee.

Prior to New England College, Runksmeier served as the Coordinator of Athletic Department Relations at College of St. Benedict and Administrative Assistant to the Director if Women’s Athletics at St. Cloud State University