WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Dani Gunderson as its new Assistant Commissioner. Gunderson joins the conference office after serving as Head Women’s Soccer Coach and Senior Woman Administrator at Muskingum University, where she has been a key leader in the athletics department and across the conference.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dani as the new Assistant Commissioner,” said Darrell Bailey, Capital University Director of Athletics and chair of the OAC Athletics Council. “Dani’s experience, leadership, and passion for Division III athletics and the Ohio Athletic Conference make her a tremendous addition to the OAC team.”

At Muskingum, Gunderson has worn many hats, serving as a coach, mentor, administrator, and advocate for student-athletes. As Senior Woman Administrator, she played an active role in shaping departmental strategy and leadership development initiatives, including mentorship programming for assistant coaches, game-day operations, and coordinating campus and community engagement events such as National Girls and Women in Sports Day. She also served on multiple OAC committees, including various working groups, the Athletics Council, and as chair of the women’s soccer committee. 

Her leadership experience extends beyond Muskingum. Gunderson has represented the conference on the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee, served as a site representative for the NCAA Soccer Championships, and was selected to participate in the NCAA Senior Woman Administrator Program.  She currently serves on the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer National Committee.  

“I am honored and excited to take this next step in my career within the Ohio Athletic Conference,” Gunderson said. “My time at Muskingum has been incredibly impactful. The experiences, growth, and relationships I’ve built there have prepared me well for this new opportunity. The OAC has always represented a commitment to excellence and student-athlete success, and I look forward to contributing to that mission under Bethany's leadership.”

OAC Commissioner Bethany Dannelly shared her enthusiasm for Gunderson’s addition to the conference office: “Dani is a proven leader whose experience within the OAC and across Division III athletics will make an immediate and positive impact. Her understanding of our conference operations, her ability to connect with people, and her forward-thinking approach will serve our membership well. We are excited to welcome her to the conference office and look forward to the leadership and energy she brings to our team.”

Before joining Muskingum, Gunderson spent four years as an assistant coach at Denison University, where she helped lead the Big Red to a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championship, tournament title, and NCAA Division III Tournament appearance. She also held coaching positions at Frostburg State University and Susquehanna University.

A native of Virginia, Gunderson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Christopher Newport University, where she was a standout student-athlete and three-time All-Conference selection. She went on to earn her master’s degree in sport coaching from West Virginia University. Gunderson officially begins her position with the OAC on November 10.