Bridgewater, NJ -- NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris today announced the hiring of Ismael Kagone as Assistant Commissioner for Sport Services, along with the promotions of Caitlin Hughes to Associate Commissioner for Sport Services and Christopher Horton to Assistant Commissioner of Creative Services.

“We’re excited to welcome Ismael to the NEC as Assistant Commissioner for Sport Services,” said Morris. “He brings a wealth of conference experience and a strong understanding of championship administration and member support, and he will be an immediate asset to our staff and institutions. We’re also proud to elevate Caitlin Hughes and Christopher Horton, who have been instrumental to the day-to-day success of the NEC and are trusted leaders within our office who consistently go above and beyond in service to our membership. Caitlin’s expertise in sport administration and her steady leadership have strengthened our championship operations and support for our institutions, while Chris’s vision and creativity have helped elevate the NEC brand on a national stage. They embody the collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence that define our staff, and these promotions position the NEC for continued success.”

In his role with the NEC, Kagone will manage conference championships and regular-season sport administration for a host of sports. His responsibilities also include facilitating coach recommendations through the conference’s governance process, assisting with sport scheduling, providing oversight for official review and video exchange, and managing the NEC awards program.

Kagone joins the NEC after serving on the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) staff since February 2021, where he was a primary sport administrator for men’s soccer, women's volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's cross country and men's and women's track & field, and oversaw championships for those sports. 

He gained experience at a national level working several major NCAA and postseason events, including the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four, the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional and multiple college football bowl games in the Dallas area.

Prior to the WAC, Kagone completed a one-year internship with the Atlantic 10 Conference, assisting with men’s basketball and Olympic sport championships as well as data research, including RPI/NET metrics across 21 sports.

A New York City native who was raised in Philadelphia, Kagone earned his degree in Healthcare Studies with a minor in Sociology from the University of Richmond. While a student, he spent three years as an Athletic Communications student assistant. He also served as president of the Black Student Alliance.

Hughes has served the NEC in Sport Services for more than a decade, most recently as Assistant Commissioner. During that time, she played a key role in elevating the championship experience for student-athletes.

In her new role as Associate Commissioner for Sport Services, Hughes will oversee championship and regular-season sport administration, scheduling, officiating programs, league policies, and serve as liaison to multiple membership groups, while assuming expanded leadership responsibilities across the conference’s sport portfolio.

Hughes was instrumental in the addition of men’s volleyball and the return of field hockey to the NEC. She extended her leadership nationally through her work on the NCAA Track and Field Rules Committee. Hughes has also spearheaded the conference-wide implementation of Teamworks, strengthening communication and coordination among member institutions.

Horton, who joined the NEC as a Digital Media Intern in 2016 and most recently served as Senior Director of Creative Services, will continue to lead the conference’s graphic design and visual branding efforts as Assistant Commissioner of Creative Services. In that role, he will also serve as a key leader of the conference’s media team, collaborating closely on video, digital and content initiatives that support the NEC’s storytelling and promotional goals.

Horton oversees the creation of graphic assets for NEC Championships, All-Conference recognition, nationally televised and streamed events, NCAA postseason runs, national honors, and membership additions. His work has played a key role in enhancing the student-athlete experience at NEC championships, elevating the conference’s presence during major events and driving fan engagement through innovative visual content.

Horton has played a critical role in the development and execution of the NEC’s basketball branding campaigns and has been instrumental in elevating the conference’s visual identity across platforms. Among his most significant accomplishments, he developed the NEC Branding Toolbox and comprehensive Brand Guidelines, providing member institutions with high-quality resources to strengthen and unify the conference’s visual presence.