OLATHE, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Chad Waller as director of sports information and media services. Waller, who served as the media relations and sports information director at Northwest Missouri State University, will assume his duties as director on June 12.
"This position with the NAIA is an exciting opportunity for me and I feel blessed to be welcomed into their family. I am extremely thankful to the staff at Northwest Missouri State University for their extensive support for my career," said Waller. "I am anxious to begin my service with the NAIA and work in a partnership with all the member schools."
Waller replaces Dawn Harmon who left the NAIA after servicing the association for eight years. With Waller, the NAIA adds a former college student-athlete to its staff who brings over eight years of sports information experience to its headquarters. Waller will join the team of manager of sports information and media services Steve Wilson and director of public relations and communications Staci Schottman. The trio will work together to service NAIA membership and bring new attention to character driven intercollegiate athletics.
"We are extremely happy to have Chad join the NAIA team. We have significant goals for sports information and media relations and with the individuals in place we look forward to building on the NAIA’s past successes and new beginnings," said Schottman. "Chad's experience and enthusiasm will immediately impact the area of sports information and allow all of us to continue to advance the service side of the department."
Waller is a graduate and former student-athlete of Lawrence University (Wis.). Waller played four years of football and three years of baseball, was a team captain and earned all-conference honors in both sports. A native of Waupaca, Wis., Waller holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Lawrence and a Masters of Arts Degree in Sports Administration from Minnesota State University.
Waller has seasoned experience in the field having worked in sports information throughout his collegiate and professional career. As a student Waller worked in sports information departments at Lawrence University, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Minnesota State University. Following his graduate program Waller aligned his love for sports with his professional career path. Waller began at Bemidji State University (Minn.) before taking the media relations and sports information director role at Northwest Missouri State where he coordinated media and sports information efforts for 13 Division II athletic programs.
Waller is an active participant in CoSIDA and received best CoSIDA women's basketball media guide in District V in 2003 and 2004. His success in sports information parallels his work in media relations where he will bring familiarity to the NAIA in the realm of radio, television and event production.
Waller's interest in this opportunity matches the direction of the association and its commitment to further enhance the entire NAIA experience.
A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.