ST. PAUL, Minn.— Corey Borchardt, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Commissioner has resigned to become the commissioner of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
“It’s difficult to capture in words how special the past two decades have been for my family and myself in being part of the UMAC,” said Borchardt. “Serving as Commissioner of the UMAC has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life and I am incredibly grateful to all of the various members of the Council of Presidents and Chancellors that trusted me to continue leading the conference during this stretch.
“I am so thankful for the relationships built across our member institutions with presidents/chancellors, faculty athletics representatives, athletics administrators, coaches, and support staff personnel,” he continued. “I will always cherish many impactful memories, laughs, and experiences created through our meetings, campus visits, championships and the many programming events that brought our membership together.”
“What I always aspired to ensure was a shared commitment to providing a positive and enhanced student-athlete experience, and I am proud of the ways we have upheld that priority. While I am excited for my next chapter ahead, the reflections on what the UMAC has accomplished in its first 18 years in NCAA Division III is very rewarding. I look forward to watching the conference continue to thrive and progress in the years ahead.”
Borchardt became the UMAC’s first full-time commissioner in July of 2008. A former UMAC student-athlete and the league’s first sports information director, Borchardt ushered the UMAC into a new era in its conference history in securing Division III membership with the NCAA. Since beginning his leadership term with the UMAC, Borchardt oversaw the creation and implementation of four strategic plans, enabled the conference to secure 501(c)(3) status with the federal government, created UMAC operating policies and procedures surrounding NCAA rules interpretations requests and NCAA violation reports as well as hardship waiver requests, developed job descriptions and evaluative process for all UMAC coordinators of officials, initiated online film exchange and data analytics for six sports, secured conference ball agreements for all applicable conference sports, and obtained significant external funding through various grant opportunities.
Under his leadership, the UMAC has added two new full member institutions and eight associate member institutions, added six conference-sponsored sports and championships, and secured Automatic Qualification ("AQs") berths to the NCAA Division III Championship in five additional sports. In the 2024-25 academic year, the UMAC Sports Network was launched and Borchardt led a rebranding process including implementation of a new logo for the league.
In addition to his role as UMAC Commissioner, Borchardt has been involved at the national level serving on several committees. He is the Vice President of the Division III Commissioners Association (term began July 2025) and serves on the Division III Commissioners Association Executive Committee. With his DIIICA appointment, he will also serve on the NCAA Convention Planning Committee.
Borchardt served as a member of the NCAA Division III Membership Committee from January 2021 to January 2025, serving as the Chair of the committee for the final two years (2023-2025). He also recently concluded a four-year term on the National Association for Division III Athletics Administrators (NADIIIAA) Executive Committee. He was previously a member of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee and served as chair for two years, and was also a member of the NCAA Division III Strategic Planning & Finance Committee. Borchardt completed four-year terms on the NCAA Division III national Baseball Committee and the NCAA Division III Women’s and Ethnic Minority Internship Grant Selection Committee, which he chaired in the final year of committee service. A member of the Division III Commissioners Association, Borchardt was appointed to a two-year term on the association’s Executive Committee and also chaired the Division III Commissioners Association Diversity and Well-Being Committee for nearly three academic years.
“Corey’s understanding of the landscape of NCAA Division III athletics and his personal skillset, including his warm and genuine personality, certainly make him a good choice for this new endeavor. Collectively, we congratulate him on this new appointment and have confidence that he will do well in his new role. Corey’s been engaged with the UMAC for 21 years, first as our Sports Information Director, and for the past 18 years as our commissioner. We’ll miss his close connection and expertise greatly,” -
President Gene Pfeifer, Bethany Lutheran College President and Chair of UMAC President & Chancellors Council
“For almost two decades Corey has led the UMAC with loyalty and dedication second to none. His professional and encouraging persona helped shape the UMAC and all its members. He guided us through growth and change at a much needed time in our early years of NCAA membership. Corey was also a student-athlete and served as my first full time sports information director - I have known him over half his life! He will be greatly missed and we send him of with blessings on the next chapter of his life,” -
Dr. Matt Hill, University of Northwestern-St. Paul Director of Athletics
“Corey has been a tremendous leader and visionary for the UMAC, always focused on what is best for our membership and, most importantly, our student-athletes. His collaborative approach and dedication to advancing the conference have helped strengthen the UMAC in meaningful and lasting ways. We are thankful for all he has done for the UMAC and wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter.” -
Nick Bursick, University of Wisconsin-Superior Director of Athletics
The UMAC Presidents & Chancellor Council has announced that a search is underway to identify an interim commissioner.