CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference is pleased to announce the creation of two new committees: awards committee and championships committee, effective immediately. These committees have been created in alignment with the goals of the league’s 2025-28 strategic plan: strengthen competitive excellence, enhance the student-athlete experience, increase visibility, and ensure consistent governance and operations across the conference.
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee will oversee a comprehensive review and future direction of the league’s awards program. Its responsibilities include conducting a full awards audit to ensure consistency across sports, supporting new recognition processes, and elevating the profile of American Rivers student-athletes at both the regional and national levels. The committee will also explore the creation of a conference-wide scholar-athlete of the year honor and lay the groundwork for the establishment of a league hall of fame.
- Steven Phelps, Director of Athletics Communications (Buena Vista University)
- Jeff McMartin, Head Football Coach (Central College)
- Erin Dwyer, Assistant Athletic Director (Nebraska Wesleyan University)
- Matt Garrett, Professor of Sports Administration (Simpson College)
Championships Committee
The Championships Committee will focus on enhancing postseason opportunities for student-athletes. Its charge includes leading the implementation of a planned football bowl game, as well as coordinating a one-time championships festival that will bring multiple sports from the same season together at a neutral location. The committee will also oversee event planning, game operations, and execution in alignment with the broader strategic plan.
- Kristy Duncan, Head Women's Volleyball Coach (Loras College)
- Sidney Kohl, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach (University of Dubuque)
- Marty Bell, Director of Athletics (Simpson College)
- Patrick Toohey, Director of Athletic Development (Wartburg College)
Together, these committees will play an essential role in the execution of strategic initiatives that promote the visibility of the conference and improve the student-athlete experience. These efforts mark a significant investment in the conference’s commitment to innovation, tradition, and the promotion of its member institutions.
“The creation of these committees is an important step in advancing our strategic priorities,” said Marie Stroman, Commissioner of the American Rivers Conference. “Through new awards, postseason celebrations, and enhanced recognition, our goal is to provide meaningful opportunities that highlight both student-athlete achievement and the shared excellence of our conference.”
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About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
