April 27, 2007
WILLIAM WOLPER NAMED COMMISSIONER OF
ST. LOUIS INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) announced today that William J. Wolper has been named the Conference’s first full-time Commissioner.  Wolper, the Director of Information/Assistant to the Commissioner for the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, will officially begin his duties with the SLIAC on August 1.

“Throughout the search process Will Wolper impressed the committee with his attention to detail, commitment to Division III and his belief in the future of the SLIAC,” Tom Hart, Webster University Athletics Director and Chair of the search committee, said.  “While employing the first full-time Commissioner of the Conference is exciting, having someone with the experience and enthusiasm Will provides will be an immediate impact for all ten schools.”

“I cannot put into words my level of excitement as I become part of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  Both the SLIAC and I have a strong vision for the future and I look forward to working with the Administrative Council to make those visions a reality,” Wolper said.  “I see a number of similarities between the SLIAC today and the Iowa Conference when I started six years ago, and hope that we can make as much progress in six years as the IIAC has.”

Among Wolper’s duties will be to serve as the Conference’s chief administrative officer; uphold, interpret and enforce the rules and regulations of the SLIAC and the NCAA; oversee the addition of football as a Conference sport; serve as a liaison between the sports committees and the Administrative Council; explore additional revenue streams for the Conference; and work with the Conference’s sports information director to improve its world wide web presence and increase media interest. 

“I wholeheartedly believe in and support the NCAA Division III philosophy that athletics are an integral part of the overall educational experience, and it is quite obvious the SLIAC administration similarly hold the values and principals of Division III in high regard.  I intend to be visible around our campuses as it is the best way I know to show my support for our student-athletes as they pursue their goals both on and off the field of competition.”

In his six years with the IIAC, Wolper oversaw the media and public relations efforts of the nine-school, 19-sport Conference.  He also assisted Commissioner John Cochrane in all aspects of the day-to-day running of the Conference including rules compliance, conduct of championships, meetings and special events.

The 31-year-old Massachusetts native succeeds Rich Meckfessel who is retiring after seven years leading the Conference. 

“The SLIAC is losing a great leader and individual to whom the Conference owes a great deal of credit for the position that it is in,” Wolper said.  “I will use the foundation Rich has laid to further move the Conference forward.  He has been, and will continue to be, an invaluable resource for me as I begin to lead the SLIAC.  I look forward to spending as much time as possible with him over the next few months so the transition can be as seamless as possible for our student-athletes and administrators.”

“Rich has provided excellent leadership to the Conference and laid the groundwork for us to move forward,” Linda Anderson, Maryville University Athletics Director and President of the SLIAC Administrative Council, said.  “He was instrumental in developing our Constitution and By-Laws, introducing tournament play, and increasing our recognition in the NCAA.  He gave us full-time work as a part-time Commissioner and leaves the Conference in a great position for Will to take over.”

Wolper received his Bachelors Degree in sports management from Springfield (Mass.) College.  Prior to joining the Iowa Conference he served as Director of Media Relations for the St. Louis-based United Hockey League (1998-2001) and as Assistant Manager of Media Relations and Communications for the American Hockey League (1997-98).

Wolper, his wife Robyn, and their two young sons will relocate to the St. Louis area this summer.

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is comprised of 10 schools and sponsors 12 sports competing at the NCAA Division III level.  The Conference will begin sponsoring football and add two affiliate members (LaGrange (Ga.) College and Huntingdon (Ala.) College) beginning with the 2008-09 academic year.