The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) proudly announces the appointment of Katie Boldvich, the organization’s first league commissioner. Boldvich currently serves as the Collegiate & Special Events Manager for US Rowing where she is credited with successfully driving organizational growth in the sport including establishing a new vision, improving infrastructure and increasing revenues for the organization’s collegiate events. Additionally in her role, Boldvich was charged with all strategic planning, fiscal forecasts, event administration, strategic partnerships and community relations of these regattas.Boldvich will serve NIRA as the point of contact for coaches and administrators within the organization and take the reins in further developing the existing NIRA National Championship, scheduling, bylaw development and league structuring.A New Jersey native and Emerson College graduate, Boldvich began her career as a NCAA soccer and softball student-athlete turned softball assistant coach before moving up the ranks to Special Assistant to the Athletic Director for the Lions.Boldvich swiftly climbed the intercollegiate athletics ranks ladder when appointed the Eastern College Athletic Conference Associate Vice President in 2013 where she served for two years. In that time Boldvich was charged with operations, budgets and logistics of over 100 ECAC Championships across more than 30 different sports.She also served as point of contact for the six (6) ECAC Division III Hockey Leagues, Division II Lacrosse League, Division II Field Hockey League and six (6) rowing affiliates. With specialities in league bylaw revisions, scheduling and championship planning, Boldvich also led the formation initiative for a Division III Women’s Hockey League and Division II Wrestling league.Dartmouth Associates Athletic Director Wendy Bordeau says of Boldvich:
“Katie’s experience navigating dynamic relationships with NGBs and drawing consensus from varied interests will be a great help to the NIRA.”
In terms of the matching Boldvich’s strengths and experience with NIRA’s top priorities for growth, Bordeau couldn’t agree more on the selection committee’s choice.
“Katie is exactly what the NIRA needs at this early stage in the organization’s development. She has skillfully guided ice hockey and men’s rowing through similar growth processes; she draws astute parallels but also recognizes the unique nature and needs of women’s rugby. We look forward to her leadership as we plot the course for the NIRA,” Bordeau said. Boldvich’s selection by the selection committee of NIRA will serve as her third appointment as commissioner. Boldvich is also currently the commissioner for the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and also the commissioner of the New England Hockey Conference and Colonial Hockey Conference.”I’d like to thank the members of the search committee for the opportunity to lead NIRA into the next stages of growth and organization as a league. Through many conversations with the group’s administrators and coaches I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am looking forward to the future.” Boldvich said.
Boldvich will begin her work as commissioner of NIRA officially on July 1.