Corey Borchardt ’02 began as the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference’s (UMAC) first full-time commissioner in July 2008. A former student-athlete at Northwestern, one of the eight UMAC institutions, Borchardt was also the league’s first-ever sports information director, creating the policies that govern current public relations efforts.

Now he is responsible for promoting and upholding the mission of the UMAC through long-range strategic planning. Borchardt serves as the league’s chief administrative officer, directing all of the league’s day-to-day operations, developing sports schedules and planning conference championships.

While working with the presidents, athletic directors, faculty athletic representatives and other staff members from member institutions, he interprets and enforces UMAC and NCAA Division III rules and legislation, serving as the primary liaison between the NCAA and UMAC institutions in the areas of compliance and eligibility.

Borchardt references that much of the preparation for his role came from professors in Northwestern’s business and biblical & theological studies departments.

"My undergraduate business degree filters into a significant part of my job," he said. "Developing and maintaining budgets, drafting official letters and reports, writing grant proposals, creating marketing strategies—much of my ability to do those things came from my training at Northwestern."

Borchardt, who has also earned an M.A. in athletics administration from the University of St. Thomas, appreciates that his faith allows him to use his passion for athletics in a way that exhibits Christ. "It provides a forum for me to live out my faith," he said.

Just as Borchardt was mentored by his professors, he in turn has mentored others, including me, in my role in Northwestern’s athletics program. I had the privilege of assuming his previous athletics role after being mentored by him while I was a student. His commitment to investing in people is still very relevant in the lives of student workers and other colleagues throughout Northwestern, the UMAC and beyond, who would echo my thoughts and have been influenced by Corey Borchardt’s care and direction.

Written by Greg Johnson ‘05. Greg is the NWC assistant director of athletics for sports information. He is also a 2009 candidate for a Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) through Northwestern’s Center for Graduate Studies.