July 16, 2007 - courtesy of Maryville University Marketing & Public Relations
SLIAC FINDS NEW HOME AT MARYVILLE

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is on the move, in more ways than one. In addition to naming Will Wolper as its first full-time commissioner, the conference also has chosen Maryville University’s Southwest County Center in Fenton as its new headquarters.

“Maryville is pleased to have the opportunity to lend this type of support to the SLIAC,” said Beth Triplett, Ed.D., the University’s vice president for enrollment. “As the conference increases its presence with its first full-time commissioner, we’re excited to provide space and amenities without placing a financial hardship on the conference.” Both Triplett and Wolper stressed that locating SLIAC headquarters away from Maryville’s main campus will allow Wolper to remain neutral on conference issues.

“I’ve spent 10 years in conference sports and I’ve never had a problem being impartial; being impartial comes easy to me,” said Wolper, who spent the past six years as director of information and assistant to the commissioner for the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, based in Cedar Rapids. Wolper said the SLIAC commissioner post appealed to him because both he and his wife have ties to the St. Louis area. He replaces Rich Meckfessel, who recently retired.    

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is comprised of 10 Illinois and Missouri colleges and universities who are all members of NCAA Division III. The conference currently sponsors championships in these men’s and women’s sports: baseball/softball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis. In Fall 2008, the SLIAC will add football and two football-only affiliates: Huntingdon College of Montgomery, Ala., and LaGrange (Ga.) College.
      
Maryville University opened its Fenton site in 1991. The University offers 17 academic programs at the Center through its Weekend and Evening College program.

Maryville University, founded in 1872, is a private, coeducational institution offering approximately 50 undergraduate, seven master’s and two doctoral degree programs to 3,300 students. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges in the Midwest, Maryville University prepares its students for successful and meaningful careers by offering programs that integrate liberal arts with professional studies.

Among Maryville’s most recent graduates, 94 percent are employed or attending graduate school. Approximately 15,000 alumni work and live in the St. Louis region.