Christian Spears, Northern Illinois University’s Senior Associate Athletics Director, will serve as president of the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) in 2012-13, the organization announced at its annual meetings in Dallas. Spears, who served as NAAC’s first vice-president in 2011-12, will lead the association through next year’s national meeting.

"I am honored that my colleagues have chosen me to lead the National Association for Athletics Compliance during such an exciting and historic time for intercollegiate athletics,” Spears said in a news release. “I look forward to serving our members as well as representing NIU and the Mid-American Conference.

“Substantial changes are underway nationally and our association is significantly involved in those discussions. NAAC is uniquely positioned to make a real difference and ensure integrity is always considered as we look to better serve our intercollegiate athletic programs and specifically our student-athletes, coaches and university communities.”