INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The NCAA has selected Wartburg’s Marcus Newsom to attend the 2024 NCAA Division III Institute for Administrative Advancement in Las Vegas this summer and represent the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C). 

 "I am thrilled that Marcus will represent Wartburg and the American Rivers Conference in this leadership opportunity,” Marie Stroman A-R-C Commissioner said. “The NCAA Leadership Development team provides first-rate programming that will empower Marcus to advance his career and provide an even greater impact on the student-athletes he mentors."

Each spring, 30 mid-level administrators administrators of color working within Division III are identified and invited to participate in the three days of professional development. 

Newsom, long-time successful track & field coach at Wartburg, began his career at Wartburg in 1995. In 1998, he was promoted to head track & field coach. He has received 16 USTFCCCA Division III Central Region women’s outdoor and indoor Coach of the Year honors. In 2021, he received the Central Region men’s outdoor coach of the year honor. Under Newsom, the Knights have won 63 A-R-C conference championships and 9 national championships. He has coached 237 women’s outdoor All-Americans, 198 women’s indoor All-Americans, 95 men’s outdoor All-Americans, and 72 men’s indoor All-Americans. 
 
A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Newsom attended Butler Community College in Eldorado, Kansas, where he was a national qualifier in track & field and played on the football team. After three semesters at Butler, Newsom transferred to Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology with a minor in criminal law in 1992. While at Bethany, he was a letterwinner in both football and track, earning all-conference honors in both sports. Newsom later completed his master’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa. 
 
In addition to his coaching duties at Wartburg, he is an assistant athletic director and the department’s diversity issues coordinator. 
 
NCAA Division III, in partnership with the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), has created the DIII Institute to provide professional development and networking opportunities for the following individuals: administrators, head coaches with administrative duties or head coaches seeking entry into an administrative role. 
 
The 11th edition of the Division III Institute is scheduled to take place June 7-8, 2024 in conjunction with the NACDA Convention and MOAA Symposium in Las Vegas. The primary purpose of the DIII Institute is to provide the selected participants with a unique experience to learn more about themselves as administrators, gain additional skills and tools to grow within their current roles and leave better prepared to advance into more senior administrative roles within Division III, if desired. Most importantly, participation in the DIII Institute will encourage mentorship to the next generation of administrators and coaches of color who will consider Division III as their professional destination. 
 
The Institute will focus on engaging and empowering current and/or aspiring administrators. It also will assist individuals in gaining professional development to advance their careers.