CLEVELAND, OH - The North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Shannon O'Brien to Associate Executive Director, effective with the 2025-26 academic year.

O'Brien, who is entering her eighth year with the NCAC, has served as the Assistant Executive Director since 2018. In her expanded role, she will continue to oversee key areas of the conference's operation and administration, scheduling, professional development programming, the conference awards program, and daily communication with coaches and athletic administrators in addition to expanded responsibilities in NCAA grant programming and championship management.

"This was an easy choice to make after watching Shannon develop and grow over her time with us in the NCAC," said Executive Director Keri Alexander Luchowski. "She is an invaluable resource not only for our office, but for our entire membership as well. It's been gratifying to witness her confidence in herself grow to match her abilities and talent. This is a well-deserved elevation for Shannon."

Prior to joining the NCAC, O'Brien spent four years as Associate Commissioner at the North Atlantic Conference (2014–18), two years as Assistant Commissioner for Sports Information at the Commonwealth Coast Conference (2012–14), and two years as Associate Director of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (2010–12). She also gained valuable experience through internships at Buffalo State College (DIII), the University at Buffalo (DI), the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (DIII), and with the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

O'Brien is a member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC), the Division III Associate/Assistant Commissioners Group (DIIIACG), the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA), the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), and Women Leaders in College Sport. She currently serves as the Past Chair of the DIIIACG and as a member of the DIIIACG SAAC Standing Committee. O'Brien is a 2011 graduate of the NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Institute for Administrative Advancement (IAA) East and attended the April 2022 NCAA Division III SWA Program.
 
Originally from Cheektowaga, NY, O'Brien completed her Master of Science degree in higher education and student affairs administration (formerly student personnel administration) at the State University of New York College at Buffalo. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management at Medaille College (NY), where she was a four-year NCAA Division III softball student-athlete.