BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) announced today the hiring of Byron Synstegaard as Assistant Commissioner of Operations. He joins the respective conference offices bringing six years of administrative experience in sport and event operations.
“To borrow a hockey term, Byron’s hiring puts our staffing plan back at ‘full strength’ in the WCHA and CCHA,” said Minnesota State Director of Athletics and CCHA Management Council Chair, Kevin Buisman. “He brings a tremendous level of operational, event management, budget and administrative experience that will prove valuable in this role. He has a real passion for the game that will be more than evident to the coaches, student-athletes and staff he will serve. I am confident that he will acclimate quickly and make immediate, high-impact contributions across both leagues.”
Synstegaard spent the last four years with the Mavericks as an Assistant Athletic Director for Sport Operations, overseeing all aspects of sport operations including event management at the university. He worked in facility management, business and financial management, department scheduling, and corporate partnerships.
"I am very excited to welcome Byron to the WHCA," said WCHA Commissioner Michelle McAteer. "Throughout the application process, it was clear that he is experienced, qualified, and possesses a skill set that will add tremendous value to our organization. Bryon has advanced in sports administration roles throughout his career and came highly recommended. He has a lot to offer and will do a tremendous job managing the operations of our league and supporting our outstanding member institutions."
Prior to his time at Minnesota State, Synstegaard was an Event Operations Manager at Northern Michigan University, where he served from 2018 to 2020, handling operations, marketing and promotions for all 16 programs.
Synstegaard will oversee all league operations for both the CCHA and WCHA, including managing payroll for all employees (including officials), budgeting for all league activities and postseason tournament management, among other fiscal and operational duties.
“I want to thank Don Lucia, Michelle McAteer, Kevin Buisman, and the CCHA and WCHA staff for this opportunity,” said Synstegaard. “I am excited to continue to advance the renowned brand of both the CCHA and the WCHA in this role, and am honored to serve the prestigious institutions that make up both leagues.”
Earning a bachelor's degree in Geography/Environmental Studies from the University of St. Thomas in 2015, he completed his master’s in Sports Management from Minnesota State in 2018. He resides in Waconia, Minn., with his wife, Alyssa.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league at WCHA.com and on its social platforms: X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.