Former NCAA Staffer Chris Brown Joins GNAC as Compliance Consultant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINTHROP, Mass. – Chris Brown, who worked at the NCAA national headquarters in Indianapolis for nearly four years, has been hired at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference office as a Compliance Consultant, it was announced by GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh on Friday. Brown's tenure at the conference was effective August 1. 

From September 2014 to July 2018, Brown served as a staff member for the NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs department. While at the national office, he served on both the Division II and III teams. His responsibilities included processing legislative relief waivers and interpretative requests, issuing legislative publications, and providing compliance oriented educational initiative for the membership.

"Chris has many years of experience with the NCAA and will be a great asset to the GNAC and our member institutions," said Walsh. 

Brown graduated from Colorado State University where he received his bachelor's degree in History before receiving his master's degree from Austin Peay State University. Prior to joining the NCAA staff, he worked in compliance at both the Ohio Valley Conference and Southeast Missouri State University. 

"I'd like to thank Commissioner Walsh for the opportunity to serve the GNAC," said Brown. "I look forward to getting to know each of our member institutions and learning how to best assist them in their efforts to maintain a compliant athletic department and, in turn, ensure a positive experience for all student-athletes."

Brown is currently serving as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Kansas, where he is pursuing his PhD in Sport Management. 

GNAC athletic departments will communicate directly with Brown regarding NCAA compliance questions. He will also be conducting conference calls with compliance staff from member schools and distributing a GNAC compliance newsletter twice during the 2018-19 academic year. 

Worcester State University was the site of a Regional Rules seminar in June 2017, where Brown presented to New England-area athletics communications directors, including many GNAC administrators, regarding certain policies and procedures involving the promotion of prospective student-athletes. 

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 13 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement. 

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