Brandt named president of AD association

Barry Brandt, athletic director at Northwestern College, has begun a one-year term as president of the NAIA’s Athletic Directors Association. He also sits on the NAIA’s Council of Presidents.

Brandt served as vice president last year and as secretary the two previous years. He says his national role has been a great professional development opportunity. “I’ve gotten to know athletic administrators and coaches from all over the country, see what issues they’re dealing with and learn from them.”

While the NAIA has seen a number of schools leave for NCAA Divisions II and III, Brandt says a number of strong schools want to get into the NAIA. “The association is making some good changes, including looking at how to improve marketing and working on guidelines related to membership issues.”

Brandt, a 1969 Northwestern College alumnus, joined the athletic department staff in 1984. The athletic director since 2001, he previously served as head men’s and women’s track coach, football offensive coordinator, assistant athletic director and lecturer in physical education.

The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) has 50,000 student-athletes participating at nearly 300 member colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada and offers 23 national championships. Through Champions of Character, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which all student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators are committed to the true spirit of competition through the core values of respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.