Mid-American Conference

MAC COMMISSIONER DR. JON A. STEINBRECHER ELECTED VICE CHAIR OF NCAA DIVISION I COUNCIL
 
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Mid-American Conference commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher has been elected vice chair of the NCAA Division I Council. 
 
“It is a privilege to represent the Mid-American Conference on the Council and to serve the membership in this capacity,” said Steinbrecher.  “I am passionate about the role intercollegiate athletics plays in the educational development of students and the dynamic energy it brings to higher education.  I look forward to working with our student-athletes and administrators in continuing to advance the academic, athletic and social development and well-being of the students who participate in intercollegiate athletics.
 
In his role as vice chair, Steinbrecher will serve as a key member of the Division I Council Coordination Committee, which conducts the business of the full Council between regular meetings. In the absence of the Council chair, Steinbrecher is responsible for leading both full Council and Council Coordination Committee meetings and teleconferences. He will also support the Council chair and handle any other responsibilities as requested by the Council chair or full Council.
 
The Council is comprised of representatives from all 32 Division I conferences and serves as the primary policy-making body for Division I and is responsible for the day-to-day decision making for the Division.  Steinbrecher becomes the first commissioner to serve in a Council leadership position.
 
Steinbrecher is entering his 11th season as MAC Commissioner and is the only Division I Commissioner to have served at all three NCAA Division I Subdivisions (FBS, FCS, DI).  Steinbrecher has recently orchestrated the development of a MAC Mental Health, Diversity & Inclusion and Academic Consortium programs.
 
Steinbrecher previously served on the NCAA Football Oversight Committee and the NCAA Football Competition Committee.  Steinbrecher currently serves on the NCAA Transfer Working Group. Steinbrecher was also appointed to USA Football’s Developmental Model Council this past February.
 
Steinbrecher is a 1983 graduate of Valparaiso University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and journalism. In 2006, he was bestowed an Alumni Achievement Award from his alma mater and in 2014 was inducted into the Valparaiso University Athletics Hall of Fame. Steinbrecher graduated with a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1984, and he was awarded the doctorate of physical education in sports administration from Indiana University in 1989.
 
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five states – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Ohio.
 
Current MAC schools and the year they joined are – East Division:  University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946).  West Division:  Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947).  The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.