BEVERLY, Mass. – Suffolk University President Marisa Kelly has been named to the NCAA Division III Presidents Council. Her appointment, representing the Commonwealth Coast Conference, was announced at the NCAA Convention, held earlier this month in Phoenix, Arizona.

The NCAA Presidents Council is the highest governing body in Division III. It implements policies adopted by the NCAA Board of Governors and may sponsor amendments to the NCAA Constitution. It also establishes and directs the general policies of the division, while also overseeing the division’s budget and establishing its strategic priorities.

“Intercollegiate athletics fosters leadership, collaboration, and competition with integrity. Here at Suffolk, we’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous heart, determination, and team-first spirit that DIII student-athletes bring to competition, and how that spirit can energize an entire college community,” Kelly said. “I’m excited to serve on this national body, to learn more and to help DIII student-athletes across the country continue to grow and prosper on the competitive playing field, in the classroom, and within their personal lives.”

Kelly is one of just 18 college and university presidents serving on the council, which represents more than 400 DIII schools and over 180,000 student-athletes.

“We’re at a crucial point in the college athletics landscape,” CCC Commissioner Patrick Colbert said. “To have a voice and thought perspective like President Kelly’s representing the Conference is truly valuable. President Kelly is an advocate for student-athletes and Division III.”

ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH COAST CONFERENCE
The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), founded in 1984, is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 10 full member and two associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers Championships in 20 intercollegiate sports.

Tune into the CCC Sports Network to watch competition live from around the league. Follow Conference news on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.