ANNVILLE, Pa. (Conference News) – Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Executive Director Ken Andrews has announced his plans to retire from the position at the end of the 2019-20 academic year.
Andrews will be entering his 20th and final year as the Executive Director of the MAC in the fall of 2019. He began his position on May 8, 2000 after the conclusion of the 1999-2000 academic year.
“It is amazing how many things have changed in my 20 years with the MAC,” said Andrews. “My first act was to sign off on the NCAA paperwork establishing our two AQs (automatic qualifiers) that has been the driver for our unique conference structure. This and so many other additions and improvements have benefited roughly 32,000 student-athletes. None of this would have been possible without great collaboration between and among the athletic administrators and presidents. I am indebted to all MAC constituents for the incredible opportunity to be part of the legacy of this conference.”
“Ken [Andrews] has been a successful leader for the Middle Atlantic Conferences for two decades,” said Dr. Thomas Botzman, MAC Executive Committee Chair and Misericordia University President. “On behalf of the Presidents Council, we thank Ken for his leadership, enthusiasm and collegiality. Our students and institutions are stronger as a result of his many lasting contributions. We wish Ken well in all of his future endeavors.”
Over Andrews’ first 19 years, he has overseen what seems to be an endless list of achievements. Below are just some of those highlights.
- Added seven conference members (Most recently: Stevens (2019-20) and York (2020-21))
- Sponsored four new conference sports (Most recently: M/W Ice Hockey, Men’s Volleyball (2018-19))
- Created eight new conference championship events
- Established the MAC Hall of Fame (2012) and organized the MAC 100 Celebration (2012)
- Created countless athletic, academic, sportsmanship and administrative conference awards programs
- Expanded the MAC Annual Awards Luncheon hosted by an institution each May
- Developed a comprehensive MAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) program
- Completed two conference strategic plans
- Founded the Mid-Atlantic Region Commissioners Association (MARCA)
- Established MAC Women’s Coaching and MARCA Ethnic Minority Symposia
- Helped MAC be a leader in promoting NCAA Division III “Game Day the DIII Way”
- Developed the MAC – Centennial Bowl Series (Football)
- Served on NCAA Sport Committees (football, swimming & diving, men’s soccer)
- Hosted several NCAA Division III Regional and Final Sites (Most recently: Baseball, Field Hockey)
- Named 2015 ECAC Commissioner of the Year
- Increased the conference office from a two-person operation to three full-time employees and an NCAA intern
- Enhanced conference play and NCAA championship access as institutions added 64 varsity teams
- Improved officiating through adding MAC coordinators of officials, developing START program, and currently serving on Division III ad hoc committee on officiating.
One of the final initiatives Andrews spearheaded for the MAC is a new branding campaign which will be launched in mid-July 2019. The brand will include a new visual identity, brand signature, four key conference messages and a website relaunch.
The conference has received plenty of national recognition since Andrews’ first year on the job (2000-01). The MAC has seen 52 NCAA Division III National Champions, 51 NCAA Division III National Runner-Ups, 254 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 14 NCAA Elite 90 Award recipients.
Andrews started his career as a high school social studies teacher and coach of volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball. He has held a variety of coaching positions at Hale High School (Raleigh, N.C.), Oyster River High School (Durham, N.H.), the University of New Hampshire, and Macalester College. His highest coaching honor was 1983 New Hampshire Coach of the Year in women’s soccer.
He is a graduate of Macalester College with a bachelor’s degree in history and geography where he later served as director of athletics (1989-1998). He did graduate work at Johns Hopkins University and North Carolina State University and now lives in Harrisburg, Pa. with his wife and three children.
A national search for Andrews’ replacement will be launched in the fall.