NACDA Appoints New Vice President to Streamline Membership
The trade association is updating its member database and registration systems as it prepares for a leadership transition.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust that new leadership in professional associations improves the overall member experience?
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics has appointed Eddie Mitchell as Vice President. Mitchell will focus on streamlining internal operations for the organization, which serves over 2,300 institutions and 24,000 athletics administrators.
Why it matters
Mitchell's hiring aims to modernize the membership and event registration infrastructure that supports the association's sprawling network. This leadership transition follows a 31-year tenure by outgoing veteran Brian Horning.
NACDA currently supports 24,000 athletics administrators across 2,300 institutions. The association, now in its 62nd year, manages 19 distinct professional organizations.
The players
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics
An Ohio-based professional trade organization managing 19 athletics associations for over 2,300 institutions.
Eddie Mitchell
The incoming Vice President of NACDA and former consultant who previously worked at Summit Racing Equipment.
Brian Horning
A 31-year veteran of the association who plans to retire following the 2027 convention.
The details
Mitchell joins the organization to oversee the database, membership, and event registration functions. His previous experience includes a six-year period as a consultant for the group, where he was responsible for designing and maintaining its core server and network infrastructure.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: Eddie Mitchell begins his duties as Vice President.
June 2027: Brian Horning retires following the annual convention.
Market Landscape
The leadership change marks a significant shift for the association as it manages a 62-year institutional history. The transition is timed to conclude by the 2027 NACDA & Affiliates Convention.
Operators managing large membership databases should track Mitchell's implementation of new registration systems to identify potential service improvements. The shift suggests a medium-term priority on digitizing member-facing administrative functions.
The takeaway
The appointment signals a clear strategic pivot toward optimizing backend infrastructure and membership management. Managers should monitor how these system upgrades impact registration efficiency during the 2027 convention cycle.
What happens next
Brian Horning will conclude his 31-year tenure at the NACDA & Affiliates Convention in June 2027.
Further reading
For more background on leadership shifts in this sector, visit People.
More information
To review the association's current operational structure, visit the NACDA organizational homepage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
Live Poll
Do you trust that new leadership in professional associations improves the overall member experience?
