NEW HAVEN, Conn. (November 24, 2025) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Commissioner Dan Mara has been selected as the 2025 winner of the of the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Extra Man Award, the IMLCA recently announced.
Established in 2013, the IMLCA Extra Man Award is presented annually to a university or college administrator who displays the highest level of support for the growth of lacrosse. The award name symbolizes the situation in men’s lacrosse games when a team has a man-advantage over its opponent.
Mara has been a member of the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Board of Directors since 2019. He recently completed a five-year term on the NCAA Division II Men’s Lacrosse Committee, the last three of which he served as the national chairman. Mara will be presented with the Extra Man Award at the IMLCA/USILA co-hosted Annual Awards Luncheon on December 12 in Orlando, Fla.
“Dan’s involvement and leadership in college lacrosse have paved the way for continued growth and excellence," said Jim Murphy, head men’s coach at Bentley University and chair of the IMLCA Awards Committee. “As a former coach, and with his administrative mindset, he understands what it takes to have a focused vision for the better of the sport.”
Mara is in the midst of his 20th year as the CACC Commissioner and his 50th season working in college athletics. The third-longest tenured conference commissioner in NCAA Division II, he is a member of four Halls of Fame.
Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 20 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 17 sports – seven for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.