The WCHA announced Monday the hiring of two new staff member to assist new commissioners Bill Robertson and Aaron Kemp.
Matt Hodson, who has spent time in Major League Baseball and also worked at a Director’s Cup-winning Division I athletic department, the University of Minnesota central communications office and a Minneapolis-based public relations firm, has been named the associate commissioner for public relations and will oversee the league’s external and internal communications, brand marketing and social media.
In addition, Alyssa Bennett has been named associate commissioner for the WCHA. She will manage the conference’s budget and finance, handle vendor contracts, serve as a liaison with member institutions, handle office operations, marketing, social media, help manage the conference championships – the WCHA Final Five (men’s) and WCHA Final Face-Off (women’s) – and assist the commissioners with planning.
Carol LaBelle-Ehrhardt and Doug Spencer, long-time aides to retiring commissioners Bruce McLeod and Sara Martin. Labelle-Ehrhardt, are no longer with the WCHA.
“We are very excited to add Ms. Alyssa Bennett and Mr. Matt Hodson to our WCHA staff and I believe they will be able to make an impact on our overall operations,” said Robertson in a statement. “Both Carol LaBelle and Doug Spencer have served our conference so well for many years and we wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors and appreciate all their assistance during the transitional period.”
“We appreciate all the work Carol and Doug have done in making the WCHA such a recognizable and respected name in college hockey,” added Kemp. “We wish them well. We also look forward to Matt and Alyssa helping us build on the WCHA brand which Carol and Doug and the member-institutions have established.”
Bennett and Hodson will start their new jobs in mid-September and work in the league’s new centralized offices in Edina, Minn. Bill Brophy will continue to assist the conference in public relations for the women’s WCHA.
Greg Shepherd will remain as supervisor of officials for both the men’s and women’s leagues.
The WCHA opened its new offices in late August. The new mailing address is:
WCHA, Suite C
Minnesota State University, Mankato at Edina,
7700 France Avenue South, Suite 360,
Edina, MN 55431
The office phone number is 952-818-8869.
