NEW ORLEANS, La. – Brian Baublitz Jr. has been hired as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference’s new Sports Information Director as announced by the league office, effective immediately.

“I am looking forward to this new chapter of my life and career,” Baublitz said. “I feel like the GCAC is a rising force to be reckoned with in the NAIA and I am extremely grateful to have been brought into the conference.”

Prior to getting hired by the GCAC, Baublitz was the Assistant Director of Sports Information for Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. While at Alcorn he was the primary media contact for baseball, women’s basketball, volleyball, women’s soccer, track & field and cross country while also earning a SWAC Football Championship ring after helping out with the football team during the 2019 campaign.

The Baltimore native has also been the Director of Communications for the SGFC Eagles since 2017, a semi-pro soccer organization based out of Largo, Maryland.

“We are excited to welcome Brian to our conference administrative team,” Interim GCAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes said. “He will be instrumental in keeping the media and fans up-to-date with the latest news and happenings in the GCAC.”

Baublitz lived in Maryland for 25 years before moving south to take the job at Alcorn State. While in the Old Line State he worked as an Athletic Communications Assistant for Coppin State University, a Stage Manager for the Baltimore Brigade of the Arena Football League and a grounds crew member for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball.

Brian earned his bachelor’s degree at Towson University where he double majored in Mass Communications and Communication Studies.

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NEW ORLEANS — The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference will hire its first full-time commissioner and, during the spring of 2022, will revive four championship sports.
     These were some of the highlights of the GCAC’s annual summer meetings, which included presidents, directors of athletics, coaches and staff of the seven member colleges and were conducted online July 14-16 on Zoom.

     Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, the GCAC’s interim commissioner since March 2019 and the director of athletics at GCAC member Dillard University, said reduced expenses and increased revenue from 2019-20 GCAC championship events and an increase in league dues for 2020-21 will help fund the salary of the GCAC’s new commissioner.
     “We hope to have a new commissioner hired and on the job by Jan. 4, 2021,” Barnes said. “Our new commissioner will continue to work to advance strategic growth and seek corporate sponsorships to help fund our initiatives.
    “I am grateful that the Council of Presidents selected me to lead the conference through this transition. These decisions mark a critical moment in the conference’s history. As we enter the GCAC’s 40th year of existence, I am excited to pass the baton to our next leader who will work to ensure the GCAC thrives for another 40 years.”
     The GCAC voted to revive championship competition in the spring sports of baseball, softball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis. This will increase the number of GCAC championship sports to 11 — currently conducted are men’s and women’s championships in cross country, basketball and outdoor track and field and a women’s championship in volleyball.
     The champions of those 2022 GCAC championship events in baseball, softball and tennis would qualify for automatic bids to NAIA National Championship tournaments if the GCAC has six-or-more teams in those respective sports. Currently the GCAC has five baseball schools, four in softball and three apiece in men’s and women’s tennis.
     The GCAC’s other members are Edward Waters College, Philander Smith College, Rust College, Talladega College, Tougaloo College and Xavier University of Louisiana.
     The GCAC announced Tuesday it will make a final decision on fall competition by Sept. 1. The league continues to monitor and assess developments during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shut down U.S. collegiate competition since the second half of March.

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