By Jerod Dahlgren, Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference Information Director

Omaha, Neb. - Kevin Broderick has been named commissioner of the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC), succeeding College of the Ozarks' Al Waller who held the conference commissioner position since 1996. Broderick's appointment is effective immediately.

Established in 1994, the MCAC currently consists of nine member institutions from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) across five different states, including Bellevue University (Bellevue, Neb.), Central Baptist College (Conway, Ark.), Central Christian College (McPherson, Kan.), College of the Saint Mary (Omaha, Neb.), College of the Ozarks (Point Lookout, Mo.), Haskell Indian Nations University (Lawrence, Kan.), Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Bartlesville, Okla.), Waldorf College (Forest City, Iowa) and York College (York, Neb.).

"I'm very excited to be a part of a conference that has such great dedicated individuals that demonstrate tremendous care about every student-athlete at their institution," said Broderick. "It's very obvious that the MCAC has a rich athletic tradition and has represented itself on a national stage as well. I'm looking forward to working with each institution to develop and foster their vision of the conference's future."

Waller, who will be retiring from the athletic director position at College of the Ozarks at the end of the academic year, was just the second commissioner in the history of the MCAC, as well as the longest-tenured—holding the post for nearly 20 years. A 2004 NAIA Hall of Fame inductee, Waller spent 25 years as the head men's basketball coach at C of O, accumulating 458 wins, 12 conference championships and six NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship appearances in his 25 years with the Bobcats. He was named conference coach of the year 12 times and was chosen as the 1999 NAIA Athletics Administrator of the Year in his role as College of the Ozarks athletic director.

"I have really enjoyed my time as commissioner of the MCAC," said Waller. "It has been a great group to work with. I feel hiring Kevin is a great move—with the added responsibilities and importance the NAIA is placing on the conference commissioner position, it was time to turn the job over to someone that has more time and energy to face the everyday challenges our conference has. I wish Kevin the best of luck in this new position."

Broderick was the longtime athletic director at Bellevue (Neb.) West High School, where he was in charge of directing and evaluating 19 sports, 35 individual teams, and more than 75 coaches. He also was an assistant principal and activities director at Bellevue West, a school of 1,700 students.

During his 17-year career as athletic director at Bellevue West, the Thunderbirds captured 13 state championships, 10 state runner-up trophies, 18 Metro Conference championships and 37 district championships. West also captured 10 state sportsmanship trophies and had eight Nebraska Gatorade Player of Year athletes during his tenure.

Broderick has served as chairman and vice chairman for the Metropolitan High School Activities Association—Nebraska's largest Class A conference, chairman of the Metro Conference finance committee and the television/radio media contracts committee, the Mayor's Commission on Drug Education, and has been named Athletic Director of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Nebraska.

Broderick has two bachelor of science degrees (one in education and one in journalism-marketing, public relations and advertising) and a master's degree in educational administration, all three from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

He has previously worked as a sportswriter for the Omaha World-Herald and a public relations firm, before embarking on a career in education. He taught journalism and English for the Springfield-Platteview public schools for 13 years, while also serving as the head boys basketball and boys soccer coach. His administrative career also started in District 46 as public relations director, before moving to Bellevue West High School as assistant principal and athletic/activities director.

He is a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, where he has earned his Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) designation. He is also a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, a certified SCUBA diver and enjoys playing ice hockey and baseball in his spare time. He and his wife, Patty, have two children who reside in Phoenix: Dusty, 35 (and daughter-in-law Missy, 33), and Danielle, 30.