CWU Athletics administrator named GNAC associate commissioner

Laura Dahlby Nicolai has been named the Associate Commissioner and Senior Woman Administrator for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

The CWU Athletics administrator has been in charge of compliance and student-athlete services at Central since 2018 and will begin her role with the GNAC on July 1.

“Laura’s experience working with Central Washington as a compliance officer and senior woman administrator provides her with a valuable perspective that will enhance the conference and benefit member institutions,” incoming commissioner Bridget Johnson Tetteh said. “With a proven track record of leadership within our conference, Laura will be a wonderful addition to our staff.”

Dahlby Nicolai will be filling the role vacated by Tetteh, who was named GNAC commissioner on March 21 after serving 12 years on the conference office staff, according to a recent announcement on the GNAC website.

The native of Rochester, Minnesota, was elevated to Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services at CWU in 2021. Dahlby Nicolai serves as the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is the department's Senior Woman Administrator. She also currently serves on the NCAA Division II national volleyball committee.

Prior to her time at CWU, she worked at Seattle University with the internal operations and marketing staffs, helping create and implement strategic plans, budgets, and marketing documents for recruiting and student-athlete engagement. 

“I am grateful to the students, staff and coaches at CWU for all they have taught me in the last six years, and I look forward to working with them all in different ways in my new role,” Dahlby Nicolai said. “This is an incredible opportunity and I look forward to serving our member institutions as they continue to make the GNAC one of the best conferences in Division II.”

Dahlby Nicolai received her bachelor's degree from the University of Redlands, where she was a three-time all-conference diver. She then completed her master's degree in education at the University of Washington, where she took part in the Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership Program.