Helena, MT - Kent Paulson, Commissioner of the Frontier Conference, will retire from his position within the Frontier Conference effective June 30, 2023. Beginning with his appointment on July 1, 2009, Commissioner Paulson has served as the first full-time commissioner and now the longest serving commissioner in the history of the conference. Dr. John Cech, president of Carroll College and chair of the Frontier Conference Council of Presidents, announced that Paulson, upon his retirement, will receive the title of Frontier Conference Commissioner Emeritus.
“Kent’s leadership over the past 14 years has truly defined the Frontier Conference,” said Cech. “He has worked tirelessly to serve the ten institutions in four states which comprise the conference. The Council of Presidents, which I have the pleasure of leading, wanted to express our deep appreciation to Kent for his leadership, and we are honored to acknowledge his unwavering commitment to the conference by conferring upon him the title of Frontier Commissioner Emeritus.” As part of this designation, Kent and his wife Joan will enjoy unlimited, lifetime access to all Frontier Conference athletic events. “It will be our great pleasure to warmly welcome them back to our campuses with pride and affection whenever they visit,” said Cech. Cech also noted that Paulson is willing to continue to serve as conference commissioner until a new successor is selected and onboarded to ensure a smooth transition of the commissioner’s position.
The membership of the Frontier Conference includes: Carroll College, University of Montana Western, Montana Technological University (Montana Tech), Rocky Mountain College, Montana State University Northern, and University of Providence as full members and the College of Idaho, Arizona Christian University, Eastern Oregon University, and Southern Oregon University as associate members.
Cech stated that Kent’s leadership as commissioner has been exceptional and the presidents and chancellors appreciate his efforts in working with Frontier Conference members to achieve numerous accomplishments for the conference which include:
Directed the development of the new Frontier Conference website
Led the efforts for conference expansion including the addition of College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon University, Southern Oregon University, and Arizona Christian University, for football
Brokered the Frontier Conference productions webcast broadcast package
Negotiated eight corporate sponsors for the conference
Developed a Media Day press conference in the fall of each year
Beginning in 2012-2013, instituted the addition of indoor/outdoor men’s and women’s track & field
Established a “Sports Chairman” system whereas league athletic directors head up a particular sport(s)
Beginning in 2020-2021, led efforts to re-establish the Frontier Conference outdoor men’s and women’s track & field championships
Created the Montana Coaches Association–Frontier Conference Exhibit/Frontier Social
Promoted the Frontier Conference by nominating league athletic directors and coaches to serve as guest speakers at the Montana Coaches Clinic (MCA)
Established the Frontier Conference scholarships that are presented through the MCA to a male and female student-athlete who are planning to attend a Frontier Conference institution
Instituted the Ron "Swede" Kenison Award
Developed the Foundation for a Future Frontier Conference endowment fund
Enhanced electronic record keeping for the Frontier Conference office
Increased the visibility of the commissioner throughout the league by frequently visiting college and university campuses
Instituted award nights for volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, golf, and track & field
Instituted Hudl game tape exchange for football and volleyball
Instituted Synergy game tape exchange for basketball
Developed mandatory officiating clinics for all conference sports
Developed eight-team schedules for football and six-team schedules for basketball and volleyball
Developed and updated comprehensive policy and procedures manuals for each sport that the Frontier Conference offers
Organized fall/summer Frontier Conference business meetings including developing comprehensive meeting booklets to better organize and increase productivity
Planned and coordinated the application/interview process for schools wishing to join the Frontier Conference including organized trips to new schools joining the conference and a formal signing ceremony for new members
Coordinated the nomination process for NAIA Athletic Director of the Year/Wally Schwartz Award
In addition, Commissioner Paulson worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with the conference presidents, chancellors, athletic directors, athletic trainers, and coaches to establish health protocols ensuring the conference member colleges and universities, their teams and athletics were operating in a safe environment. He also led the conference’s efforts from 2020 through 2021 to develop uniform facility safety protocols so athletic events could be conducted in a safe and competitive environment.
Over the past 14 years, Kent Paulson has served many roles and has been the recipient of numerous awards including:
Montana Coaches Association Outstanding Contributor Award
Montana Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award
The NAIA Award of Merit in recognition for loyal support to the Conference Commissioner’s Association (CCA)
The Charles M. Morris NAIA Administrator of the Year award
Served on the NAIA CCA Executive Committee
Served as the CCA President
Served as the CCA past president and ad hoc member to the NAIA Council of Presidents (COP) Executive Committee
The following comments were received by the NAIA President and CEO members of the Frontier Conference:
“Kent Paulson exemplifies all that is good about the NAIA, the Frontier Conference, and college athletics. Kent has spent his entire professional career as a servant leader and has had a positive impact on countless students, coaches, and administrators. On behalf of the NAIA, I wish Kent and his wife Joan the best as they enjoy retired life with their family.” – Jim Carr, President of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
“Bringing football back to the College of Idaho has been great for us and never could have happened without the leadership and guidance provided by Kent Paulson and the presidents and chancellors of the Frontier Conference. We could not be more grateful to Kent for all of his support, advocacy, and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape in collegiate athletics. Kent has left us in a great position for continued success. We all hope to see his continued presence at events and wish he and his wife, Joan the very best!” – Jim Everett, Co-President of the College of Idaho
“We are extremely appreciative of Kent’s commitment and enthusiasm for the Frontier Conference and NAIA Athletics over the past 14 years. A solid foundation has been established and the momentum will continue as the conference expands. His support of member institutions and more importantly, our student athletes has been exemplary. We are forever grateful to both he and Joan for their dedication and support.” – Dr. Les Cook, Chancellor of Montana Tech
“Kent was instrumental in our evolution as a Conference. We are grateful and wish him future happiness in his retirement.” – Dr. Robert Wilmouth, President of Rocky Mountain College
“As Associate Members of the Frontier Conference, Commissioner Paulson always made us feel not only welcome, but integral partners in the group. For that, all of us will be eternally grateful. We wish Kent and his family all the best and thank them for their service to our students, our universities, and our communities." – Dr. Richard Bailey, Jr., President of Southern Oregon University
Cech noted he is grateful for Commissioner Paulson’s dedication to the conference which was exemplified on November 10, 2014, when he survived a horrific automobile accident while traversing the state for his job. Commissioner Paulson shared that the Frontier Conference family provided him with both his incentive to recover as well as valuable mental health therapy following multiple surgeries and physical therapy which were essential for his healing.
Paulson is completing his 50th year in education. A skilled educator with a passion for academic excellence, he has a strong background in public administration, budget and personnel management, teaching, and coaching. Paulson spent 14 years at Whitefish High School, nine as assistant principal and five as principal. A veteran of the Montana high school coaching ranks, Paulson taught and coached track and basketball at both Troy and C.M. Russell High Schools. Paulson was previously active with the Montana High School Association. He was a former MOA basketball official, a basketball tournament manager, and is a respected track and field official.
Paulson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education from the Western Montana College (Montana Western) in 1973, and earned a masters of education from the Dillon school in guidance counseling in 1979. He received his secondary principal endorsement from the University of Montana in 1980. Paulson and his wife, Joan, are the parents of three children Kale, Krista, and Kurt, who is the head men’s basketball coach for Carroll College.
Cech added that he would like to provide his deepest thanks to Commissioner Paulson for his 14 years of service as commissioner as well as extend a heartfelt thanks to Kent’s wife, Joan Paulson, who traveled many thousands of miles supporting both Kent and the Frontier Conference. “Many people around the nation fondly refer to Joan as the Co-Frontier Conference Commissioner,” said Cech.
A search for Commissioner Paulson’s replacement will begin immediately with Carroll College President John Cech and Montana Tech Chancellor Les Cook co-chairing the search. The search committee will be comprised of chancellors, presidents, and athletic directors representing the conference. The position is full-time and the physical location of the commissioner is flexible but they must reside in Montana. Additional information about the search will be posted to the Frontier Conference website at frontierconference.com. Confidential inquiries can be made to Frontier Conference Council of Presidents Chair, Dr. John Cech at president@carroll.edu.