Gary Karner informed the chancellors three years ago that he would be retiring as commissioner of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on Aug. 14, 2020.
He was joking, of course. No one is better-equipped to lead the WIAC through the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic than Karner, who is completing his 24th year as commissioner of the best NCAA Division III conference in the nation.
Karner's tenure wasn't always smooth sailing, especially early on when he butted heads with some of the WIAC's ultra-successful coaches in high-profile sports. But the prevailing opinion around the conference is that he is a hard-working, fair, well-connected leader who has promoted the league with passion and pride since he took over in 1996.