Somerset, NJ -- Northeast Conference (NEC) Commissioner Noreen Morris today announced the promotions of two staff members. Michelle Boone has been elevated to Associate Commissioner and Kevin Sanchez to Director of Events and Operations.
Now entering her fifth year, Boone joined the NEC staff as Director of Sports Services in July, 2008 and was promoted to Assistant Commissioner nine months later. Boone is responsible for championship and regular season sport administration, development of sport schedules, supervision of officiating programs, and coordination of awards.
Prior to her arrival at the NEC, Boone spent a year as a Regional Marketing Coordinator for CBS College Sports, concentrating on sponsorship activation at the Atlantic-10. She also served as a Marketing and Championships intern at the Big West Conference in 2006-07 and as a Marketing and Promotions Intern at Cal-Riverside while completing her graduate studies.
A Philadelphia native, Boone completed her Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco in 2007. She is a 2003 graduate of Lock Haven University with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with a concentration in Athletic Training. While at Lock Haven, she pitched and was a four-year letterwinner on the women’s softball team. In her senior campaign, she was named All-PSAC, All-Region and helped lead the Eagles to NCAA Regional runner-up honors for the first time in 14 years. Following her college graduation, Boone spent two years as an Assistant Softball Coach at Penn.
“Michelle is one of the most dedicated, organized and proactive individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my over 20 years in this industry,” said Morris. “She has earned the deep respect of her co-workers, campus administrators, coaches, officials and championship game management personnel. I truly appreciate Michelle’s continued commitment to raise the bar in terms of providing a first-class championship experience for our student-athletes and coaches.”
Sanchez recently completed his second year as NEC Assistant Director of Events and Operations. In his role, Sanchez coordinates and organizes NEC meetings, events, and championships. He also assists with the Conference awards program, acts as a liaison to the NEC SAAC and serves as the primary operations contact for the Conference, including administrative and office manager support.
Prior to his appointment, Sanchez spent three years (2006-09) as a graduate assistant in Facilities and Events at Indiana University. He also served as a Records Clerk at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, a law firm in Sacramento.
Sanchez is a 2006 graduate of the University of California-Santa Barbara where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society, and minored in Sports Management. He earned his Masters of Science in Sports Marketing and Management from Indiana University in 2009.
“With his ability to interact with a diverse set constituencies and tasks, Kevin has proven to be an invaluable member of the Northeast Conference staff,” said Morris. “He has been the ultimate team player and has made significant contributions to enhancing the services provided by the NEC in terms of meetings, championships and day-to-day operations. Kevin has a great future ahead of him in collegiate athletics, we are fortunate to have him as part of the NEC family.”
About The Northeast Conference
Now entering its 32nd year, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 12 institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to four of the largest markets in the United States - New York (#1), Pittsburgh (#23), Baltimore (#27), and Hartford/New Haven (#30). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 23 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic or play-in access to 14 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Bryant, Central Connecticut State, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Monmouth, Mount St. Mary’s, Quinnipiac, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis (NY), Saint Francis (PA) and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit www.northeastconference.org.