CLEVELAND (Sept. 9) -- Mid-American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst
announced today the appointment of three new members to the MAC staff.
Bob Gennarelli was named associate commissioner for external operations,
Dell Robinson as associate commissioner for legislative and compliance
services and Stephanie McDonald as assistant commissioner for sports
programs and women's basketball operations.
"We are fortunate to have attracted three outstanding individuals to
join our staff in Cleveland," said Chryst. "Each is extremely
well-respected and will bring tremendous energy and leadership to their
respective positions. I am excited for the service I know they will
provide to the schools of the Mid-American Conference."
Gennarelli, 40, comes to the MAC from his position of assistant
executive director of the SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl and the San Antonio Bowl
Association. He had been with the bowl since its inception in 1992.
Previously, Gennarelli worked in the Southwest Conference from 1986-92
as media relations director for football and men's basketball and
tournament operations for the post-season tournament. Prior to joining
the SWC staff in August of 1986, Gennarelli was sports information
director at East Carolina University from 1984-86. He also served as
senior assistant sports information director at the University of
Houston from 1982-84.
Gennarelli is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a
bachelor's degree in journalism. He is married to the former Debbie
Walters, and they have a nine-year old daughter, Nicole.
Robinson, 34 and a Cleveland native, most recently served as assistant
commissioner for compliance at the Western Athletic Conference in
Denver. Before joining the WAC, Robinson served as the director of
compliance and enforcement for the Southwestern Athletic Conference from
1992-96. He has a bachelor's degree in sports management from Ohio
University and received his master's degree in sports administration
from Iowa State University.
McDonald, 28, joins the MAC following a year as director of compliance
at North Carolina State University. Prior to N.C. State, she was the
athletics compliance coordinator at Cleveland State University. McDonald
is a graduate of Texas Woman's University, where she earned her B.B.A.
in accounting in 1993, and from the University of Texas School of Law,
where she earned her juris doctorate in 1996.