CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announces the appointment of Jack Langan as the Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jack Langan to the A-R-C staff," said Marie Stroman, A-R-C Commissioner. "Jack's deep roots in Division III athletics, as a student-athlete, SAAC leader, and sports information professional, give him a perspective that is both genuine and immediately applicable to the work we do every day on behalf of our member institutions. His creativity, enthusiasm for partnership development, and personal connection to the values that define Division III made him stand out among an exceptionally talented pool of candidates. We look forward to the energy and innovation Jack will bring to our office as we continue to advance the A-R-C's strategic plan and mission."
Langan begins his two-year appointment today, Monday, June 8. This position is made possible through the NCAA Division III Pathway to Excellence Internship Grant. The grant provides funding for full-time, entry-level athletics administrative positions for two academic years.
Langan joins the A-R-C after serving in multiple roles at Winona State University, including assistant sports information director, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) liaison, and assistant baseball coach. In those positions, he played an integral role in game operations, communications, student-athlete development programming, and departmental strategic initiatives.
During his time at Winona State, Langan helped redevelop the department's first-year student-athlete development curriculum and launched WarriorNEXT, a career readiness initiative designed to support student-athletes as they prepare for life after college. He also managed athletic event operations, supervised student employees, coordinated alumni engagement efforts, and contributed to a variety of departmental projects focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience.
A nationally recognized student-athlete leader, Langan previously served as Chair of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and became the first student-athlete to serve on the NCAA Division III Presidents Council. In those leadership roles, he advocated on behalf of Division III student-athletes, worked alongside institutional and national leaders on key governance issues, and helped strengthen communication and engagement efforts across the division.
"I can't express how excited I am to be the Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives," said Langan. "I want to thank Commissioner Stroman and the rest of the staff for giving me this amazing opportunity. The A-R-C is an amazing league in the very competitive Division III landscape; I'm looking forward to supporting our member institutions in my new role."
A former Division III student-athlete at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Langan was a four-year member of the baseball team. He graduated in 2024 with a bachelor's in kinesiology. Langan continued his education and baseball career at Winona State University, where he graduated in 2025 with his master's in sports management.
In his role with the A-R-C, Langan will assist with the conference's strategic initiatives and conference operations while helping advance the league's commitment to providing a premier Division III student-athlete experience.
As part of this position, Langan will participate in a mentorship program with Erin Dwyer, Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Nebraska Wesleyan University, to guide him as he continues his career in athletic administration.
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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 eight full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
