The WCHA announced Friday that women’s commissioner Aaron Kemp has resigned to pursue other professional opportunities, effective immediately.
WCHA men’s commissioner Bill Robertson has been named interim commissioner of the women’s league and will assume overall leadership and supervision through the remainder of the women’s 2015-16 season, which concludes March 20, 2016.
“On behalf of the league and its member institutions, we thank Aaron for his important contributions to the continued growth and success of the women’s WCHA, and wish him and his family all the best in their future endeavors,” said Minnesota State faculty athletics representative and women’s WCHA chair Dr. Jeffrey Pribyl in a statement. “At the same time, we are excited to welcome Bill Robertson as our interim commissioner. Robertson has worked closely with Aaron over the past 18 months on overarching WCHA matters. He has established trust and credibility with league staff and will provide a seamless transition as we enter the final weeks of the regular season and prepare for the 2016 WCHA Final Face-Off at Ridder Arena on March 5 and 6.”
“I am grateful to the leadership of the WCHA and its member institutions for the opportunity to serve the premier conference in women’s college hockey,” added Kemp. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with our tremendous student-athletes, coaches and administrators, and I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in the last year and a half. The WCHA is in prime position moving forward and is in good hands to do so. At this time, it is in the best interests for me and my family to pursue professional opportunities closer to our extended family.”
Kemp was named the second commissioner in the history of the women’s WCHA on April 23, 2014. A college hockey veteran with extensive experience as a player, coach and administrator, Kemp came to the WCHA from Mercyhurst, where he served as senior associate athletic director/Mercyhurst North East director of athletics. Kemp also was an assistant men’s hockey coach at Canisius (2002-04) and Mercyhurst (2004-08).
Permanent staffing plans for the women’s WCHA will be determined in the spring.
