CARMEL, Ind. — The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) has announced the promotion of Senior Woman Administrator Grace Schott to Associate Commissioner.  Schott has served in the conference office since joining the HCAC in 2023 as Assistant Commissioner.     

In her expanded role, Schott will continue overseeing initiatives that enhance the student-athlete experience while serving as the conference’s primary liaison for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Special Olympics partnerships, leading student-athlete experience efforts, and administering awards programs throughout the league.  

Since arriving at the HCAC, Schott has helped strengthen the conference’s commitment to service, student-athlete development, and operational excellence.  She has also played a key role in improving conference championship operations and communications across the HCAC. 

While continuing her work with the conference, Schott completed her Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Ohio University in August 2025. Prior to joining the HCAC, she completed her MBA through Ohio University’s sports administration program and held multiple roles within Ohio Athletics. She also previously served as a Digital Marketing and Business Operations student assistant at Saint Louis University, where she earned undergraduate degrees in Sports Business and Analytics & Enterprise Systems.  

In recognizing Schott’s promotion, Commissioner Jay Jones noted, “Grace embodies the service commitment and student-first philosophy that defines the HCAC. Her dedication to our membership and our student-athletes makes her an exceptional representative of the conference, and this earned promotion is a reflection of the tremendous positive impact she continues to make across the HCAC.”

Schott’s promotion to Associate Commissioner became effective May 1, 2026.  

For more information on the HCAC, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the HCAC's home on the internet at www.heartlandconf.org. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference news by following @HCACDIII on Twitter and by liking the "HCAC DIII" Facebook page.