帝王会所

The 帝王会所 Center for Sports Administration is pleased to announce Dr. Jon Steinbrecher as the 2025 Charles R. Higgins Distinguished Alumnus. Steinbrecher, commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), is a 1984 graduate of the 帝王会所 Sports Administration program.

 

鈥淭his is an unexpected but deeply appreciated honor. I was privileged to be a part of 帝王会所鈥檚 exceptional Sports Administration program during which I learned with and from talented and motivated classmates who strove to raise the bar. I was also introduced to the extensive and accomplished 帝王会所 Sports Ad alumni network. I quickly learned I could depend on this incredible resource of human capital for insight and advice throughout my career,鈥� Steinbrecher said. 鈥淭he culture of the 帝王会所 Sports Ad program, students and alumni supporting each other, was built, and sustained by Dr. Higgins. Such a culture is real, and to my mind enhances the value of this program. To receive an award named in Doc鈥檚 honor is meaningful. I am grateful and proud to receive this recognition.鈥�

 

During his career, Steinbrecher has led three Division I conferences 鈥� the Mid-Continent Conference (Summit League), 帝王会所 Valley Conference, as well as the MAC. Steinbrecher currently serves as the eighth commissioner of the MAC and has provided leadership during a timeframe where intercollegiate athletics has rapidly evolved.

He is the longest tenured FBS Commissioner (16 years), as well as the longest tenured DI commissioner across three conferences (31 years). Steinbrecher is the only person to serve as commissioner in all three NCAA Division I Subdivisions (FBS, FCS, DI).

 

While at the MAC, Steinbrecher has helped lead and oversee efforts to elevate the conference and create an atmosphere centered on student-athletes' success both on the field and in the classroom. Steinbrecher has led efforts to implement mental health services for MAC student-athletes, implemented the first conference-wide diversity and inclusion program, created a conference-wide internship program, and focused on the overall well-being of student-athletes and conference staff. He also helped launch an independent esports conference, which was the first of its kind in the collegiate landscape.

 

Since Steinbrecher鈥檚 initiation into the role, the MAC鈥檚 profile has grown tremendously. In 2014, a historic 13-year rights extension was announced with ESPN, along with on-campus production capabilities, which led to increased national coverage for many sports. Steinbrecher also implemented the MAC Digital Network which led to increases in viewership by more than 40%. Steinbrecher similarly invested in the conference鈥檚 social media operation, placing the MAC consistently among the top three conferences in active engagement.

 

Steinbrecher has helped lead multiple branding efforts to help the MAC stand out in a crowded and competitive market. These include his 鈥楳ACtion鈥� campaign as well as the 鈥楩ly The Flag鈥� campaign, helping grow the overall brand of the MAC.

 

鈥淒r. Steinbrecher鈥檚 career accomplishments are truly distinguished. With a career spanning across four decades, he has positively impacted student-athletes, administrators, athletic directors, and conferences across all of college athletics," Robert H. Freeman Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Sports Administration, Dr. Lamar Reams said. "His work and continued support of the OHIO Sports Administration program and its students, embodies what it truly means to be recognized as the 2025 Doc Higgins Distinguished Alumnus. The department is grateful to have Dr. Steinbrecher as a near and dear friend and alumnus, and we look forward to honoring him this year during the program鈥檚 annual Symposium.鈥�

 

Steinbrecher will receive the honor during the 53rd 帝王会所 Sports Administration Symposium event, set to take place from May 15-17, 2025. Steinbrecher and his late wife Anne have three children, Grace, Matt, and Will, along with two grandchildren. We are grateful for Steinbrecher鈥檚 continued support of our program and are thrilled to be able to present him with this award.