Daniels Named GSAC Commissioner

IRVINE, Calif. - Mike Daniels, formerly of the Big West Conference, has been named the new Commissioner of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) as announced today by the GSAC Council of Presidents.

"I am pleased to welcome Mike Daniels to the leadership helm as Commissioner of the GSAC," said Dr. Paul Ague, Chair of the GSAC Council of Presidents. "Mike's leadership and experience will continue to keep the GSAC a strong conference in the NAIA. His drive and passion to foster a spirit of integrity within academics and competition will challenge us to strive for continued excellence. "

Daniels brings to the position 20 years of experience in college athletics. He was most recently an Associate Commissioner of the Big West Conference, where he held several positions over the last 14 years. Daniels oversaw the league's sponsorship and marketing programs, coordinated nine conference championships, served as a sport liaison for ten sports and worked in media relations. A southern California native, Daniels developed conference-wide initiatives such as the Big West Tour and Basketball Shootout and was involved in the conference website and information technology.

"I am extremely happy to be joining the Golden State Athletic Conference," said Daniels. "My vision begins with leading a group of schools with commonalities in faith and purpose to maintain the league's status as one of the best in the NAIA. To serve Him in this capacity will be rewarding. I know that the primary obligation is to develop our student athletes so that they may glorify Him to a broader audience. I hope to improve the student-athlete experience to accomplish this goal. I look forward to expanding the foundation that Dr. Hamlow has laid before me and furthering the mission of the conference."

Daniels becomes the first full-time commissioner of the GSAC and only the third commissioner in the 26-year history of the conference. He was preceded by NAIA Hall of Fame members Carroll Land (1986-91) and Cliff Hamlow (1991-2012).

"In welcoming Mike, the presidents also want to thank the retiring Dr. Hamlow," said Ague. "Cliff has served the GSAC for 21 years and leaves a great legacy for Mike to advance."

Before joining the Big West, Daniels was the assistant Sports Information Director at the University of San Diego, completed duties as the media relations director of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and worked in the UC San Diego sports information office. He also has professional experience working in the public relations department for the San Diego Chargers Football Club.

Daniels earned his Bachelor's degrees in Communications and Political Science from UC San Diego in 1993, and then received his MBA from San Diego State University in 1997. He lives in Aliso Viejo, California, with his wife, Julie, and their sons Zachary, Matthew and Nicolas.

"Mike Daniel's brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise for being a conference commissioner," said Bob Wilson, Vanguard University Director of Athletics. "We are losing a quality leader in Cliff Hamlow, but I believe we have filled that void with a person that has the energy and vision to keep the GSAC the best conference in the NAIA."

One of the NAIA's premier conferences, the GSAC features eight member schools - Arizona Christian University, Biola University, Concordia University, Hope International University, The Master's College, San Diego Christian College, Vanguard University, and Westmont College.

Since the 1986 inception of the conference, GSAC schools have captured 41 NAIA national championships, including at least one in 12 of the 13 conference-sponsored sports over the past decade. In addition, the GSAC has had at least three members finish in the top seven in the prestigious Directors' Cup championship for the past five years running, including five member schools in the top seven of the 2008-09 final standings.