WINFIELD, Kan. – The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) is pleased to introduce Mike Saddler as the next Commissioner of the Jayhawk Conference effective July 1, 2023. Saddler is set to succeed current KJCCC Commissioner, Carl Heinrich, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2022-2023 year.
Heinrich has served as the head of the Jayhawk Conference since 2018, providing the leadership for 21 institutions in Kansas, including the 19 community colleges, Northwest Tech, and Hesston College.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to become the next commissioner of the premier conference in the NJCAA. I’ve been fortunate to spend 16 years involved with this conference as a player, coach, and administrator so getting the privilege to lead the conference as it’s commissioner is humbling. I’m looking forward to working alongside the presidents, athletic directors, and coaches to help this conference continue to grow and thrive”, said Saddler. Current KJCCC President, Dr. Marlon Thornburg of Coffeyville said, “we’re excited to have Mike on board to lead the Jayhawk Conference. His knowledge and experience within the conference and on the national level will be beneficial as he provides the leadership for our member institutions.”
Saddler is the current Athletic Director at Colby Community College in Colby, KS, a position he has held since 2018. The Trojans have experienced outstanding success on the field under Saddler. Colby has won five of the 18 Jayhawk Conference Championships since Saddler become the Athletic Director, and the men’s cross-country team recently claimed the school’s first National Championship in over 20 years.
Prior to his time at Colby, Saddler spent nine years at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, KS. He started his career at Neosho County as an assistant baseball coach where he helped guide the team to its second NJCAA World Series appearance before transitioning to a role in athletic administration in the fall of 2012. Saddler spent three years as Assistant Athletic Director, before being named the Athletic Director in the Spring of 2015.
Saddler has also been an active voice at the conference and national level serving as the Region 6 Men’s Director since 2015. As part of his role Saddler has served as the NJCAA Division I Baseball Chair since 2017 and also serves as the vice chair of the NJCAA Eligibility Committee in addition to other committee assignments. In 2017 Saddler was also named the Jayhawk Conference Secretary/Treasurer.
An alum of the Jayhawk Conference, Saddler began his collegiate career as a student-athlete at Colby Community College where he earned an Associate degree and NJCAA All-Academic honors in 2002. He would continue on to the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree followed by a Master’s of Science in Sports Administration from Fort Hays State University.
Saddler has been a member of the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators and the National Association of College Directors of Athletics since 2012. In July of 2022 Saddler was recognized as the 2021-22 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Athletic Director of the Year.
Saddler and his wife Sara reside in Colby, KS. The Saddlers have two sons, Brody
(12) and Hudson (9).
