Northwest Missouri State University today announced three finalists who are vying to become the University’s next director of athletics.
The candidates will meet members of the University community during a series of town hall meetings. All meetings will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Center Room of The Station. The sessions are open to the public.
Northwest launched a search to fill the position after Dr. Robert Boerigter resigned Sept. 8 to become commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
The finalists and the meeting details are listed below.
Glen Krupica (Wednesday, Nov. 10)
Krupica has nearly 30 years of experience at the Division I and Division I-AA levels, and has served in various roles at Northern Illinois University since 2005 including special assistant to the vice president of university relations, deputy director of athletics, senior associate director of athletics for external affairs and associate director of athletics for external affairs. Previously, he was executive director for the Independence Bowl Foundation; assistant athletics director and executive director for the Northwestern Athletics Association at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., and director of development for Kansas Special Olympics. Krupica earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University and his master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio State University.
Mark Fisher (Friday, Nov. 19)
Fisher is director of athletics, activities, physical education and drivers education for Springfield Public Schools, a district of 24,000 students and 50 schools in Springfield, Mo., and has served in that role since 2003. Previously, Fisher was athletic director, wellness instructor and coached multiple sports at Greenwood Lab School at Missouri State University. He also was an instructor and coach at Owensville and Stanberry high schools. Fisher earned an associate of arts degree from Iowa Western Community College, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Northwest Missouri State University.
Wren Baker (Tuesday, Nov. 23)
Baker has served since 2006 as director of athletics at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla., where he was the first athletics director in the school’s history. His prior experience includes serving as director of athletics and principal at Valliant Public Schools, assistant director of operations for men’s basketball at Oklahoma State University, and assistant men’s basketball coach at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in education leadership studies from Oklahoma State University.
