The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) has named Brian Curtis director of sports information. Curtis will replace Corey Borchardt, who stepped down earlier in the 2005-2006 academic year. The transition will begin immediately, with Curtis assuming full responsibilities in August of 2006.
Curtis is currently the director of sports information at the University of Minnesota-Morris and will remain in his current role with Minnesota-Morris while taking on the additional conference responsibilities. He has operated as the director of sports information at Minnesota-Morris since August of 2000.
Prior to arriving at Minnesota-Morris, Curtis was involved with media-based work, serving over 18 years in radio as a sports director and an on-air announcer, including stops at KFGO (Fargo, N.D.), KXPO (Grafton, N.D.), KMAV (Mayville, N.D.), KLGR (Redwood Falls, Minn.), and KMRS/KKOK (Morris, Minn.). Curtis received the Award of Merit in radio from the North Dakota High School Coaches Association in 1991.
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Commissioner Jim Unke said, "The UMAC is excited to have Brian Curtis join the conference office and to represent our league in the sports information facet. His experience and knowledge involving media relations, the NCAA, and routine sports information duties make him an excellent fit for the position." Unke added "Though we had several qualified and talented candidates, Brian emerged as our top choice, and we are optimistic that he will continue to increase the league's media coverage and presence."
Borchardt noted, I have no doubt that Brian will do an outstanding job in his new position. His previous involvement with the NCAA, understanding of the league, and superb work ethic will enable him to be successful in advancing the conference sports information office.
Curtis remarked, Corey has done an outstanding job in building a great foundation for the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and I will have some big shoes to fill. As the league moves to become a NCAA Division III conference, I look forward to establishing a strong relationship with each conference member and solidifying our league on the NCAA Division III level."