NCAA's Dennis Poppe announces retirement

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - NCAA vice president of championships and alliances Dennis Poppe (POPE) has announced he'll retire Jan. 1, 2014.

Poppe has worked in the NCAA national office for 39 years and has been the lead administrator for the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., and the Football Championship Subdivision since 1987.

Poppe will continue in an undetermined role with the NCAA after his retirement. Damani Leech, director of championships and alliances, will take over July 1 as lead administrator for the CWS, FCS championship, Division I men's ice hockey and three other sports.

Poppe, who turns 65 in May, has overseen the significant growth of the CWS. Attendance has more than doubled under his watch, and he was key figure in the move from Rosenblatt Stadium to TD Ameritrade Park in 2011.