Title: | Associate Commissioner - Championships & External Relations |
Phone: | (989) 894-2529 |
Email: | croekle@gliac.org |
Chris Roekle is in his fifth year as Associate Commissioner for Championships and External Relations with the GLIAC after modernizing promotional and publicity efforts with an emphasis on enhancing the student-athlete experience with a focus on social media-based platforms and an enhanced championships experience.
Roekle has transformed the conference into a leader in the modern social media landscape, more than tripling Twitter following from less than 3,000 to more than 11,000 in three years. Implementing graphic design and innovative methods, he has made the GLIAC a trendsetter for social media at the Division II level. Roekle also oversaw new branding efforts at the GLIAC when the conference unveiled new league badges and logos to improve the look and feel of championships.
In addition to his social media efforts, Roekle organizes the setup, process and distribution of all awards for all GLIAC-sponsored sports. He also oversees women's soccer, cross country, track and field, and golf throughout the league and works with the Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) on keeping the academic side of campuses well-informed and engaged in athletic activities. Roekle also serves as a member of the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee for Men's Golf.
Recognized for his saavy social media tactics, Roekle has been hired as the NCAA Division II Social Media Coordinator for the following championships: 2017 Women's Basketball Elite Eight (Columbus, Ohio), 2016 Men's Basketball Elite Eight (Frisco, Texas), 2017 Women's Golf Championships (Findlay, Ohio), 2015 Women's Golf Championships (Allendale, Mich.).
Prior to joining the league office, Roekle spent one year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a Graduate Communications Intern for the Huskers. Roekle coordinated communication efforts for the 2013 Big Ten champion women’s soccer team and served as Co-Host Media Coordinator for the 2014 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Regional in Lincoln. Chris also composed several men’s basketball releases during NU’s run to the NCAA Tournament and ran all social media efforts at Nebraska’s home baseball contests.
Roekle also worked two years in the Athletic Media Relations Office at Saginaw Valley State. He served as the primary contact for women’s volleyball, men’s golf, track and field, cross country, women’s basketball and baseball.
A native of Saginaw, Mich., Roekle is a graduate of Saginaw Valley State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2009. Roekle went on to further his education at SVSU and obtained his master’s degree in business administration in 2013.
Chris resides in Findlay, Ohio with his wife, Erin, and their cat, Effie.