???After nearly seven weeks of searching, the Mid-American Conference has found a new leader.
???On Monday, the MAC appointed Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher as the conference's next commissioner. Steinbrecher comes to the conference boasting 15 years of experience as a Division I commissioner following stints with the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and the Mid-Continent Conference.
???"I am honored and humbled to be chosen to lead a conference, well-recognized as a leader in academics and athletics," Steinbrecher said. "I am excited to become a part of the proud MAC tradition and eager to get to work."
???The decision was made following a meeting by the league presidents at a meeting in Indianapolis and an extensive national search.
???"Jon has a superior background at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics," said Western Michigan University President John M. Dunn, chair of the search committee, in a press release. "He is a proven talent, an innovative thinker with excellent administrative and academic credentials. Clearly, Dr. Steinbrecher shares the same values as the member institutions and its student-athletes, and he will continue our tradition as one of the nation's premier conferences."
???Steinbrecher's accolades at the OVC were a primary factor in the decision to hire him for the MAC. There, he negotiated a five-year contract extension with ESPN. The 2005 OVC Men's Basketball Tournament Semifinal was also the first-ever sporting event to be televised on ESPNU. He also established OVCSports TV and secured the rights for Nashville to host the 2014 NCAA Division I Women's Final Four.
???As Steinbrecher heads to Cleveland to run the MAC, there are many issues on the table that heads of colleges and universities across the conference hope will be addressed. One of the main problems centers on basketball.
???During this decade, MAC basketball has experienced a downfall in RPI ratings and overall reputation across the nation. Formally known as one of the best mid-majors in the nation, the MAC has since fell dramatically in the standings. Currently, the conference ranks 21st in RPI rankings, dropping from 12th place last year. ???Steinbrecher hopes to address the problem once he steps into office.
???"I think it will be my job to get the key stakeholders engaged in discussion," Steinbrecher said. "I know for a fact that they are anxious to do so. We won't make knee-jerk reactions, but we'll get the folks together we need to and discuss the issues, and then we'll go about crafting a way to make [the MAC] stronger."
???Another issue plaguing the conference is expanding the sports available in addition to possibly adding new schools. Steinbrecher hopes that input from important individuals will help him in making the conference as best as possible.
???"I think the task at hand is what we can do to grow all of our sports," Steinbrecher said "Over the coming days, weeks and months, I will be reaching out and spending a lot of time listening to our coaches, our athletic directors and our presidents to see...what our collective vision is."
???Steinbrecher, who takes over as commissioner on July 1, follows Rick Chryst, who served as the MAC Commissioner since 1999. Steinbrecher will be the eighth commissioner in the history of the conference.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
