Barry University Athletics

Chris Graham / cgraham@sunshinestateconference.com

Graham was named Commissioner of the Sunshine State Conference in April 2025, bringing more than 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics leadership to the helm of NCAA Division II’s most successful conference.

Graham arrives at the SSC following an impactful 11-year tenure as Commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), where he led the league to historic growth and competitive distinction. Under his leadership, the RMAC expanded to 15 member institutions, added three new championship sports—including men’s and women’s lacrosse—and became the first Division II conference to adopt women’s wrestling as a championship sport.

A nationally respected voice in college athletics, Graham has served in multiple NCAA governance roles, including Chair of the Division II Management Council and member of the NCAA Board of Governors. His committee service spans areas vital to the student-athlete experience and the future of the NCAA, including Planning and Finance, Mental Health, Championships, and Rules. He was a key contributor during the COVID-19 pandemic response and helped shape the adoption of the NCAA’s new constitution.
Throughout his career, Graham has been a passionate advocate for student-athlete well-being, emphasizing mental health, safety protocols, and championship enhancements. He is also a leader in officiating reform, serving on the Collegiate Commissioners Officiating Working Group.

Graham’s appointment to the SSC was praised by conference leadership as a visionary step forward. “Chris brings to this role three decades of experience... and a strong commitment to the mission and values of the SSC,” noted Dr. James J. Annarelli, Eckerd College President and Chair of the SSC Presidents Council. Before his time at the RMAC, he held administrative roles at the conference and campus levels, building a comprehensive understanding of the intercollegiate athletics landscape.

Graham holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Ripon College. A native of the Midwest, Graham and his wife, Penny, are the proud parents of three daughters—Alaina, Sydney, and Nora.

Maryanne Simkulak / msimkulak@sunshinestateconference.com

Maryanne Simkulak is in her 15th year with the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). Hired in January 2010 as Assistant Commissioner for Membership Services and named Senior Woman Administrator in July 2013, she was promoted to Senior Associate Commissioner in 2018. 

Simkulak oversees the conference's NCAA rules compliance program, the league's 15 championships including revenue generation with local sports commissions, and liaison with SSC Athletics Directors Council, Senior Woman Administrators, Compliance Coordinators, Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Athletic Trainers, and all coaches groups.  She also coordinates all SSC special events such as the Hall of Fame, Professional Women in College Sports seminar and SSC Leadership Weekend. Her daily compliance responsibilities include rule interpretations, eligibility review, coordination of the National Letter of Intent and evaluating medical hardship requests.  She also has responsibilities related to the conference budget with monthly reconciliation, participation in quarterly financial reviews and NCAA grant reporting. 

She has served on NCAA Regional Advisory Committees and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Collegiate Women's Lacrosse Officiating Association (CWLOA) for four years. She is a current member of Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA), NACDA, and Division II Conference Commissioners Association of Compliance Administrators.

Simkulak came to the SSC following six years at Barry University where she progressed from Graduate Assistant to Assistant Director of Athletics.  Her responsibilities at Barry included compliance, special events, SAAC advisory, NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program, serving as game administrator and oversight of the vans and golf carts for the athletic department.

Simkulak earned a Masters of Science degree in Sports Management from Barry University.  She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from Lynn University.  Simkulak played for the Fighting Knights women's soccer team and worked part-time in the athletic department in sports information and athletic administration.

Simkulak resides in Orlando with her husband, Brian, and children Brittany, Destiny, Sydney and Sebastian.

Robert Brennecke / rbrennecke@sunshinestateconference.com

Robert Brennecke's responsibilities include managing league schedules, statistics, results, internal/external communications, and tournament seeding while developing and implementing conference-wide and sport-specific policies in collaboration with coaches, administrators, and SSC staff. He also works closely with SSC Coordinators of Officials on scheduling and payroll operations.

Brennecke has played a pivotal role in enhancing the SSC's visibility and historical preservation. He spearheaded the creation of the SSC Digital Network, guided the conference through a comprehensive rebranding, transitioned the league's website to a content management system, and developed the SSC's first comprehensive record books. Additionally, he administers the conference's awards program, which includes managing an archive and award database utilized by fans and institutions. His efforts have directly contributed to managing over 7,000 athletic awards—representing 30% of the league's honors over its 49-year history.

Beyond his strategic contributions, Brennecke directs communications, photography, video, and media efforts for all SSC championships and special events. He also writes, publishes, and promotes editorial content for 21 championship sports, ensuring the SSC's commitment to excellence is showcased across all platforms.

Before joining the SSC in 2014, Brennecke served as Assistant Commissioner for Operations and Sports Communications for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) from 2011 to 2014. In this role, he oversaw championships, media relations, awards programs, marketing, and sports information, while contributing to national governance as a member of the NAIA National Administrative Council and the KCAC expansion evaluation team.

Brennecke began his career at the University of Oklahoma, holding key roles such as Study Skills Supervisor for the Sooners Athletic Department, Student Conduct Specialist in the Office of Judicial Services, and Graduate Assistant in Recreation & Fitness.

A native of Belleville, Illinois, Brennecke earned a Master's degree in Education, specializing in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration, from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Administration from the University of Louisville.