Dave Haglund
Commissioner
12th Year
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 503-305-8756

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Dave Haglund is in his 12th year as commissioner of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2023-24.

During his tenure, the conference office has been responsible for hosting a number of regional and national events, including the NCAA Cross Country  Championships, NCAA Cross Country West Regionals and the NCAA Men's Golf Super Regionals. He also brought the NCAA Conference Commissioners Association annual summer meeting to British Columbia, Canada -- home to GNAC member Simon Fraser University.

On a governance level, Haglund played an active role in groundbreaking legislation enabling the extension of Division II's international footprint to Mexico. Initially defeated by a narrow margin when the proposal was initially brought forth by another conference, revised legislation a few years later passed with an overwhelming approval rating of 85 percent.

Haglund culminated his recent four-year term on the NCAA Nominating Committee by serving as the panel's chair. He is a past member of the men's basketball Regional Advisory Committee and has served as the NCAA site representative for the West Regionals in California and Oregon. He also has served as a site representative during the NCAA women's soccer and football championships.

He also served on the NCAA's association-wide Officiating Review Steering Committee which was tasked with examining the recruitment, education, evaluation, retention and training of officials across 15 sports.

Shortly after his appointment as commissioner, he initiated the development of an ongoing symposium focused on advancing the interests and opportunities of females looking to break into the sports industry. The first GNAC "Women in Sports" career seminar was held in Seattle. Since that time, the GNAC has conducted similar events in Anchorage and Portland. In total, the seminars have attracted hundreds of attendees and featured nearly 80 panelists covering a wide cross-section of career paths.

His administrative career includes a 10-year stint as associate athletics director at the University of Maryland. 

Operating in the heart of the D.C./Baltimore corridor, the nation's fourth-largest media market, he led Maryland's athletics media relations department when the Terrapins won the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship and played in the Orange and Peach bowls. His responsibilities at Maryland included the supervision of 12 sports and four support units in addition to coordinating nearly 50 ACC and NCAA championship events hosted by the university.

During his time in College Park, the Terps captured 10 NCAA titles in five sports -- including men's basketball, women's basketball, and men's soccer -- and appeared in four bowl games.

His career has included promoting multiple programs that led the NCAA Division I ranks in home attendance for the first time in school history.

Haglund is a graduate of Oregon State University. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children: Samantha and Matthew.

Bridget Johnson Tetteh
Associate Commissioner/SWA
12th Year
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 503-305-8756
Twitter: @BridgetTetteh

Bridget Johnson Tetteh, a two-time NCAA All-American in track and field at Western Oregon University and former coach at the NCAA Division II and Division III levels, is in her 12th year with the conference office in 2023-24. She was promoted to associate commissioner in July 2015.

She is currently in the midst of a four-year term as a member of the NCAA Track & Field Rules Committee, a nine-member panel that includes representation from all three divisions. Her term runs until September of 2023. In addition, she serves on the NCAA Division II Ethnic Minority and Women's Internship Grant committee.

In 2022, Johnson Tetteh served as the Tournament Director for the NCAA DII Men's & Women's Soccer National Championships during the NCAA Fall Festival in Seattle. In 2018, she served as the NCAA site representative during the regional championship tournament at Concordia University.

Johnson Tetteh joined the GNAC staff as assistant commissioner in August 2012 after spending the previous four years as the associate head coach for the Pacific (Ore.) University track and field and cross country programs.  From 2006-2008, she was on the coaching staff at Western Oregon.

At the GNAC, Johnson Tetteh's primary areas of focus are NCAA compliance and championships administration. She also serves as the conference office Senior Woman Administrator. In 2013, she served as meet director for the NCAA Cross Country Championships and NCAA Cross Country West Regional, both of which were hosted by the GNAC.

From 2012-2014, she served as a member of the Regional Advisory Committee in volleyball. Johnson Tetteh has also served as an NCAA West Regional site representative on three occasions -- for women's basketball in 2013 and 2015, and for volleyball in 2014.

Tetteh also oversees the GNAC' "Women in Sports" seminar, an initiative designed to provide a networking and educational opportunity for college- and high school-aged women interested in pursuing sports-related careers. In its first four editions, more than 800 attendees have benefited from the nearly 80 panelists who have participated in the event.

Johnson Tetteh competed in track and field at Western Oregon between 2003 and 2006 and is still the all-time point scorer in GNAC outdoor championship meet history with 115 points. During her career, she won four GNAC titles (heptathlon in 2005 and 2006, 100 hurdles in 2006 and 4x400 relay in 2005) and twice earned NCAA Division II All-American honors in the heptathlon (2005-06).

Johnson Tetteh, who is a 2008 graduate of the NCAA Women’s Coaching Academy, has extensive experience in event management at Western Oregon and Pacific, including serving as the meet coordinator for the GNAC Track and Field Championships in 2011. At Pacific, she was the event supervisor for football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. She also served on the USTFCCCA NCAA DIII National Awards Committee since 2010.

Johnson Tetteh is a 2006 graduate of Western Oregon University where she earned a degree in health promotion. She earned a master’s degree in education from WOU in 2008. She was a three-time Academic All-GNAC honoree as an undergraduate.

Evan O'Kelly
Assistant Commissioner
1st Year
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 503-305-8756

Evan O'Kelly begins his first year as assistant commissioner for communications in 2023-24.

O’Kelly served as the associate athletic director for communications at GNAC member MSU Billings from 2014-19 and 2020-22, with a one-year stop at Concordia University in Portland in between. In 2018, he was honored by CSC (formerly CoSIDA) with the organization’s College Division Rising Star Award as the top young professional (10 years of experience or less) in the Division II, III, JUCO or NAIA ranks.

O’Kelly has served several leadership roles at Montana State Billings including an MSUB Student-Athlete Advisory Committee adviser, coordinator of the D2CCA Men’s Basketball All-Region voting, and as a member of the NCAA DII Baseball West Regional Advisory Committee which selects the official playoff baseball teams annually.

He also has served as a broadcaster for several MSU Billings sports and he served as the official scorer for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League, formerly the short season Class-A Cincinnati Reds affiliate.

His one year at Concordia saw him serve as associate A.D. for communications where he handled digital and print media for the school’s athletic department, including handling all facets of the school’s live streams. The university cut its athletic department in 2020, precipitating his return to Billings.

O'Kelly first served the GNAC during the 2013-14 academic year, as the GNAC Media Relations Intern. He was responsible for individual sport coverage as well as championship management during his first stint at the conference office.

A native of Northeast Portland, O'Kelly is a 2013 graduate of Linfield University.

Thomas Lal
Media Relations Assistant
2nd Year
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 503-305-8756

Thomas Lal begins his second year as media relations assistant with the conference office in 2023-24.

Lal began his work in college athletics as an undergraduate while attending GNAC affiliate member Cal Poly Humboldt as member of the student media and as a student assistant to the athletics department specializing in photography and video production. He documented the department’s transition as the school transitioned into California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt.  

Along with his work at Cal Poly Humboldt, Lal spent two seasons covering the Humboldt Crabs, the oldest continuously operated collegiate summer baseball team in American baseball. While writing and shooting for the Northcoast Journal, Lal also was a regular guest on the radio broadcast.  

At the 2022 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championships in Seattle, Lal documented Western Washington’s second national title from the sidelines as a photographer for the NCAA and the GNAC with his work was featured in the Seattle Times. 

A native of Eureka, California Lal graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in journalism.

Gabbie Ewing
Digital Media & Championships Assistant
1st Year
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 503-305-8756

Gabbie Ewing begins her first year as the GNAC's digital media and championships assistant in 2023-24.

Ewing attended Concordia University - Portland from 2015-2019 where she obtained a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science. In 2023, she received her master's degree in sports management from Solent University Southampton.

During her time at Concordia University, Ewing played for the women’s soccer team. Upon graduation, she went on to play professionally in Sweden.

After retiring from soccer in 2022 Ewing began working for the Timbers and Thorns promotions and events staff in 2023. Additionally, she founded "The Athlete Confidential," a platform focused on sharing stories about the athlete experience, supporting athletes' mental health, and providing resources for current and former athletes. With a passion for making a positive impact in the sports industry, Ewing continues to strive for excellence and find new ways to support all athletes.