Richard S. Becknell,
Commissioner________________________________________________________
Unprecidented league growth and a committment to excellence has characterized the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference since the appointment of Richard Becknell as commissioner in 2003.
Becknell retired from Ohio University in June, 2003, following thirty-three years of service to his alma mater. During his tenure, Becknell worked as the institution's associate director of admissions, receiving the University's Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award in 1994.
Becknell received his bachelor's degree in communication studies in 1976, and added his master's degree from Ohio University in 1978. In 1988, he received the coveted Green and White Award for Meritorious Service for his work in student-athlete recruitment in conjunction with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and has authored and delivered several professional papers on this subject with the NCAA.
Serving as the Ohio University men's soccer club advisor for nearly seventeen years, Becknell helped oversee club operations and alumni networking.
Upon accepting the commissionership in 2003, Becknell embarked on the ambitious challenge to grow the conference to its current configuration, making it the nation's largest soccer league. At the same time, the quality of competitive play was not sacrificed, as witnessed in the 2006 NIRSA National Soccer Championships, where all four qualifing bids from the MASC advanced to the "Elite Eight," and two later competed in the national championship game.
Richard Becknell currently resides in Athens, Ohio, and is involved with local hospital charity, the Alumni Advocacy, Trustee's Academy and university committees.
Eric Sztul,
Assistant Commissioner_______________________________________________
Service to the MASC is nothing new to Eric Sztul, who begins his twelfth season with the league as assistant commissioner, and sixteenth overall as a league official. Eric began his association with intercollegiate club soccer during his playing and coaching days as an undergraduate student-athlete at Bowling Green State University from 1994-1998. In 1997, he assumed the commissioner's title, replacing Steve Burns of the University of Michigan. That same year Eric received his bachelor's degree from Bowling Green, and began his successful career in education as a teacher and coach in Columbus, Ohio.
In 2001, he stepped down as commissioner and held the assistant commissioner position. He has held that position ever since. Later in 2007, Eric completed his master's degree from The Ohio State University.
Today, besides assisting the commissioner with many league matters, Eric also chairs the conference's Rules Committee, which is composed of club officer delegates from each of the league's four divisions.
Andrew Chabot,
Special Assistant to the Commissioner ___________________________________
The newest member of the league office, Andrew "Andy" Chabot was appointed to the position of Assistant to the Commissioner in the fall of 2010.
Andy is a 2010 graduate of The Ohio State University and, while completing a BS in Consumer Affairs, he was involved in the men's soccer club throughout his undergraduate years. The club officer positions Andy held included president, vice-president and treasurer, all while demonstrating outstanding leadership on campus. He brings a wealth of experience of club management skills to this position.
A native of Cincinnati and graduate of Anderson High School, Andy promises to be a valuable addition to the MASC leadership team and will be assigned responsibilities with the regional tournament, Rules Committee, league scheduling meeting and other duties as assigned by the Commissioner's Office.
