Former Summit League assistant commissioner named Prospect League commissioner

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Prospect League, a summer collegiate baseball league with 17 teams including the Quincy Gems, recently named David Brauer as its new commissioner.

Brauer brings college athletics administration experience to the post, most recently spending a decade as assistant commissioner at the NCAA Division I Summit League. His experience includes communications positions at four Division I universities and leadership roles in government and the private sector.

Dennis and Lisa Bastien announced in October plans to step down from their leadership roles as commissioner and deputy commissioner of the league, choosing to focus on the league’s newest team, the Jackson Rockabillys, who will debut in 2023.

In a press release, Bill Davidson, Prospect League president and director of the Lafayette Aviators, said, “We had many qualified individuals interested in leading the Prospect League. David stood out due to his extensive college experience, administrative skills and growth strategies he’s executed with college athletes.”

Brauer played an integral role in The Summit League’s transformation to national prominence. During his tenure, he secured a broadcast agreement that was the largest in league history and launched weekly programming while building a network of television affiliates. Brauer directed all broadcast and media operations for the Summit League basketball championships. He established the Summit League Hall of Fame along with league policies and marketing campaigns and oversaw a communications staff that garnered media coverage for 19 sports.

A University of Illinois graduate, Brauer began his career as an undergraduate in the school’s athletic public relations department and as an intern for the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. He worked with the baseball programs at both Purdue and Northern Illinois and in a strategic communications position at South Carolina. Among his experience outside the sports industry, Brauer managed all communications, marketing, and advertising for the Wisconsin Lottery.

The Prospect League is a premier Midwestern wood-bat summer league for collegiate players with 17 teams across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.