Hannan has been the GNAC’s commissioner since the conference’s inception in July 2001. The GNAC has become one of the most successful and visible of the 24 NCAA Division II conferences throughout Hannan’s decade as commissioner.

The conference has been consistently competitive at the regional and national level, while also placing an emphasis on academics, Hannan said. The average GPA and graduation rate of student athletes are about 8-12 percent above the general population, he said.

Hannan said the timing for his resignation was right because he is getting older and wants to take a different outlook on life. He has four grandchildren and wants to be able to enjoy their company, he said.

GNAC Information Director Bob Guptill said the growth of the conference and the addition of sports such as football and men’s and women’s golf can be credited to a great commissioner.

“He’s well-respected throughout the conference and the country,” Guptill said.

The GNAC has developed over the past 10 years into a diverse range of institutions, Hannan said. The 10 schools vary between public and private, are a range of different sizes and are located in five different states. After the addition of Simon Fraser University of British Columbia in 2009, the GNAC became the only conference in any NCAA division with a school located outside the United States.

Hannan said picking an accomplishment he is most proud of is difficult.

“There are just so many little things that it is hard to pick out any one thing by itself,” he said.

He said even through all the difficult situations, such as increased travel costs, the GNAC has thrived. Hannan left the conference in a financially stable position, which includes a reserve fund, according to a press release from the conference.

Hannan agreed to stay with GNAC until a replacement is found. The job opened on Monday, Oct. 10, and he feels there will be a large group of competent applicants to choose from.

Lynda Goodrich, Western’s athletic director, said the applicant must have five years of experience in senior athletics, good communication skills, an understanding of higher education and how to balance athletics and academics, and strong marketing and leadership skills.

“I think it will be difficult to find somebody with his knowledge and energy, but hopefully we will find someone to carry on,” Goodrich said.

Western men’s basketball coach Brad Jackson has known Hannan since Jackson was in college. He said he has also coached against him a time or two, but has always had a good relationship with him.

“When the game was over, it was always very cordial and we maintained a good friendship,” Jackson said.

Hannan has a strong personality and  butted heads with a few people during his time as commissioner, Jackson said. He said Hannan’s shoes will be hard to fill and the question on his mind is what direction the conference will go under new leadership.

Hannan will stay on once a new commissioner has been hired to offer support and encouragement.

“Whoever he or she is, it will be a quality individual,” Hannan said. “They probably won’t even need me.”