KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Newman University Associate Athletic Director Zach Brake has been named the 2026 recipient of the Association’s Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award.
 
Established by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2023, the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award seeks to recognize a young MIAA administrator or coach who embodies the principles and core values of the MIAA and its membership – fair competition, academic success and service to others. The award is named in honor of Jerry Hughes, the long-time University of Central Missouri Director of Athletics, who passed away in January 2023.

Like Hughes, this individual consistently makes a positive, lasting impact on the lives and experiences of student-athletes, coaches, fellow administrators, community members, and other institutional stakeholders.
 
“The Rising Star Award celebrates the legacy of the great MIAA and NCAA leader in Jerry Hughes,” said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. “One of Jerry’s greatest gifts was the ability to recognize talent in young coaches and administrators, and to help position them for success. Jerry would see the administrative talents in Zach and be very proud of his leadership accomplishments at such a young age. Zach is truly a ‘rising star’ in intercollegiate athletics!”
 
Zach Brake is in his sixth year working for the Newman University athletic department. After spending four years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Communications, Brake was named the Association AD for Advancement and Operations in October 2025. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, he first joined Newman as a graduate assistant for the athletic department in 2020. After earning his MBA from the university in 2021, he assumed the communications role for Newman athletics.
 
"Being selected by the MIAA’s athletic directors for the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award is humbling,” Brake explained. “I am grateful for the meaningful recognition and appreciative of my experience at Newman University that has put me in the position to positively impact our institution and the experience of our student-athletes, coaches and greater campus community. The principles and values that Hughes embodied will continue to be a driving force in my future endeavors."
 
In his current role, Brake oversees fundraising initiatives, external relations, and departmental operations, while continuing to provide oversight in branding and communications. He also serves on numerous committees, including the MIAA Basketball Tournament Committee (2022–present), for which he was named committee chair in 2025. The Jets Associate AD is also an adjunct professor at Newman University, teaching in the Sports Media and Promotion program. Courses he has taught include Organization and Administration of Sport, Facility and Event Management, and Social Media & Fan Engagement.
 
Over the past year, Zach stepped up to assist Newman’s Interim Athletic Director, collected and analyzed data to support key strategic planning, engaged with the Board of Trustees, and led the charge with hiring multiple coaches while the university was without an Athletic Director. Since Kenyon Sears joined the Jets as Athletic Director in July 2025, Zach has continued to play a crucial role in supporting the transition and ensuring Newman Athletics stays on course. Additionally, he has taken the lead in managing scholarships and paving a new way forward for our athletics department and university to cohesively work together to better Newman.
 
“Zach’s ability to build meaningful relationships with administrators, coaches, and student-athletes sets him apart as a young leader,” said Newman Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator, Maureen Rohleder. “His focus on fostering a positive, collaborative culture has created an environment where everyone feels valued, and his impact goes far beyond his job responsibilities — he is a servant leader who prioritizes the well-being of those around him.”
 
“Zach is truly the backbone of Newman Athletics,” continued Rohleder. “His contributions to the University and its athletic programs are so significant that it is hard to imagine the department without him. His work reflects the values that Jerry Hughes embodied, leaving a lasting, positive impact on those around him and enriching the intercollegiate athletics experience at every level.”
 
Brake is the third recipient of the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award and the first to receive the honor from Newman. The past recipients were Central Missouri Athletic Trainer Jessie Sotelo and former Central Missouri Associate Athletic Director Jeff Mason.
 
The MIAA will present Brake with the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award on Thursday, March 5, during halftime of the men’s 6 p.m. quarterfinal game at the 2026 MIAA Basketball Championships in Kansas City.
 
For more information about the Jerry Hughes Rising Star Award, visit theMIAA.com/RisingStarAward.