Bryan Blair Named to NCAA Division I Sports Oversight Committee
3/7/2025 7:24:00 AM | Athletics
Toledo Vice President and Director of Athletics will help shape future rules and regulations for college athletics
TOLEDO, Ohio – University of Toledo Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair was recently named to the NCAA Division I Sports Oversight Committee, where he will help shape the future of college athletics.
Blair, whose four-year term begins on July 1, 2025 and runs through June 30, 2029, will be one of 29 committee members, which is made up of conference commissioners, athletic directors and senior administrators.Â
"It's truly an honor to represent Toledo Athletics on the national stage and serve on the Sports Oversight Committee," said Blair. "This role carries significant responsibility, and I'm deeply committed to representing the University of Toledo and the Mid-American Conference with integrity and passion. Having a voice in shaping the future of college athletics is both a privilege and an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the years to come, ensuring the Rockets' voice is heard."Â
The Sports Oversight Committee's primary focus is to foster a positive intercollegiate experience for student-athletes while managing regular season and championship operations, including the processes for qualifying and selecting teams for national championships. The committee also evaluates issues impacting various sports, provides policy and legislative recommendations in areas outside of autonomy governance, and reviews proposals submitted by individual sports committees, which report directly to it. Additionally, it addresses other matters related to the administration of championships.Â
Blair who currently serves on the NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions, previously served on the National Sports Forum's Steering Committee. The National Sports Forum is one of the largest annual sports business conferences in North America. At The University of Toledo, Blair is currently serving as co-chair for the Executive Vice President and Provost search and served on the Presidential Profile Committee for UToledo's current presidential search.Â
Since his arrival at The University of Toledo in May of 2022, Blair has helped position Toledo as one of the premier Group of Five athletic programs in the country. In that short time span, Toledo has won 13 Mid-American Conference Championships, earned the MAC's Cartwright Award as the top overall program in the league in three consecutive years and set numerous academic records. In addition, Blair has been the catalyst behind some important and creative initiatives that have helped elevate Toledo into the national spotlight.Â
In 2024, Blair was named to the Sports Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list. Blair, who was also recognized as one of the "20 Under 40" community leaders in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan in 2023, has focused on several objectives with the goal of elevating Toledo Athletics, including increased fundraising, community engagement and student-athlete support. Â
Among the new initiatives that have begun under Blair's leadership is "Rise Together," a strategic plan that outlines a roadmap for student-athlete well-being and success, community engagement and facility enhancements that aims to elevate the Rockets into national prominence. Â
Blair has put his mark on the Rockets with several high-profile hires, most notably tapping Ginny Boggess to become Toledo's new head women's basketball coach in April of 2024. He has also hired new head coaches in women's volleyball (Brian Wright), women's swimming & diving (Jacy Dyer), softball (Jessica Bracamonte) and women's soccer (Mark Batman). In addition, Blair was the catalyst behind the addition of Women's Rowing as Toledo's 17th varsity sport. Blair hired Chris Bailey-Greene to lead the rowing program, which will begin competition in the 2025-26 season.Â
