GREENVILLE, Pa. — Thiel College President Dr. Troy VanAken recently was appointed to represent the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) on the NCAA Division III Chancellor / Presidents Advisory Group (PAG). President VanAken's term of service on the PAG begins immediately and continues through the close of the January 2015 NCAA Convention.
“I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the dialogue that is shaping the future of intercollegiate athletics at the national level. It is an honor to represent both Thiel College and the President's Athletic Conference while again serving on an NCAA advisory group,” said Dr. VanAken.
Established in 2006, the PAG provides guidance for policy decisions in Division III governance. While the advisory group is not a legislated entity within the NCAA's Division III, it advises and provides input to the 15 members of the Division III Presidents Council and facilitates communication from the Council to chancellor/president colleagues in their respective conferences/group of independents.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. VanAken to the Presidents Advisory Group. The Group was established by the Division III Presidents Council to more directly and effectively engage presidents in the governance of intercollegiate athletics at the national, conference and local levels. It ensures that every Division III conference has a presidential representative at the policy level. The group focuses on key legislative proposals and policies at the strategic level. Troy was well prepared and very engaged at his first meeting Wednesday evening, offering many positive contributions to our discussions. He promises to be an outstanding member of the group,” said Dan Dutcher, vice president for Division III.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. VanAken represent the PAC on this very important and influential national committee. In his short time at Thiel, his passion for and support of Division III athletics has been instrumental in the growth and development of the College. I have every confidence that he will quickly become a leader amongst his presidential peers on the committee,” said Joe Onderko, executive director of the PAC.
