NEW HAVEN, Conn. (June 11, 2026) – Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Commissioner Dan Mara has signed a five-year contract to remain in the role, as announced on Thursday by the league’s Presidents Council. Mara's new contract runs through June 30, 2031. He will be the second-longest tenured commissioner in NCAA Division II.
 
Mara will be entering his 21^st season in the commissioner’s role in the 2026-27 academic year. Under his leadership, the CACC has become one of the most stable conferences in Division II. The league boasts 12 full-time members and 18 championship sport opportunities, including the addition of women’s flag football in the spring 2027 season.
 
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for another five years,” Commissioner Mara said. “The CACC has been an important part of my professional life, and I remain inspired by the dedication of our presidents, athletic directors, coaches, administrators, and, most importantly, our outstanding student-athletes. Together, we have built a conference rooted in integrity, competitive excellence, and a commitment to providing transformative educational experiences through athletics. I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to working collaboratively with our member institutions as we continue to strengthen and elevate the CACC in the years to come.”
 
Mara has provided a steady presence for CACC membership during the challenging current climate in college athletics and higher education, while also providing a vision for the future of the league. He has worked with a variety of groups in the conference, including the Presidents Council, which has helped shape the league into what it is today.
 
“On behalf of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and our member institutions, I am thrilled that Dan Mara has agreed to continue serving as Commissioner for another five years," said John Hopkins, President of Post University and Chair of the CACC Presidents Council. "Dan's visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, and adeptly guiding the conference through an ever-evolving collegiate athletics landscape have positioned the CACC for continued success. His dedication to fostering competitive excellence, academic achievement, and meaningful growth across all aspects of the conference has been instrumental in elevating the CACC's profile. We look forward to building on that momentum under Dan's leadership in the years ahead.”
 
Prior to arriving at the CACC as Commissioner in 2006, Mara served as the Associate Vice President for Athletics at Post University for 11 years. He is currently taking part in his 50^th year in intercollegiate athletics in 2026. In addition to a lengthy career as an administrator, Mara was a championship-winning coach at Mitchell College in women’s basketball, softball and baseball. He has earned multiple conference, regional and national awards as a coach, athletic director and commissioner.