David Brunk has been hired as the new commissioner of the Peach Belt Conference, it was announced today.

Brunk, who served as commissioner of the Northeast-10 Conference for the past nine years, will replace Marvin Vanover, who will retire from the position on June 30 after 16 years of service. The Peach Belt Conference is based in Augusta and includes Augusta State and USC Aiken.

"I'm very honored and excited by this opportunity," said Brunk from the Northeast-10 conference office in South Easton, Mass. "It is the chance for me to work with some exceptional institutions and people. The Peach Belt has always emphasized academics and highly competitive athletics and the opportunity to be a part of the conference and work with the Board of Directors is very exciting."

Brunk was the first full-time commissioner for the Northeast-10 beginning his tenure in 1998. Under his leadership, the NE10 has added five new institutions and expanded the number of championship sports offered to 23, currently the most offered by any NCAA Division II conference. The NE10 has also led the nation consistently in graduation rates and academic success rates and has been brought to the forefront in the region and the nation.

Brunk is a 1972 graduate of Ball State University and holds a master's degree in Sports Science and Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy. He and his wife, Brenda, have two daughters Ashley, 27, and Alexis, 16.

Brunk will begin his duties as Peach Belt Commissioner on July 1.