Governor Charlie Baker speaks in the course of the Massachusetts Legislation Enforcement Memorial at Ashburton Memorial Park on October 28, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photograph by Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald by way of Getty Photos)
Matt Stone | MediaNews Group | Boston Herald by way of Getty Photos
The NCAA stated Thursday it has chosen Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker as its subsequent president.
Baker will begin within the place in March, two months after his second time period as governor ends on Jan. 5. He’ll succeed Mark Emmert, who has held the function since 2010.
Baker’s background in authorities made him a best choice for the NCAA, which has confronted quite a lot of national legal and regulatory controversies in recent times. The group was embroiled in a Supreme Court docket case final yr over student-athlete compensation.
“All through the search course of, Governor Baker’s historical past of efficiently forging bipartisan options to advanced issues stood out to the search committee as uniquely suited to the NCAA’s current wants,” the NCAA wrote in a Thursday press launch.
Emmert will proceed consulting for the NCAA till June 2023.
Baker, a two-term Republican in a predominantly Democratic state, is the primary NCAA president with out a skilled background at increased training establishments or school sports activities. He did, nevertheless, play varsity basketball at Harvard.
“The most important high quality he brings is his political acumen,” stated Tom McMillen, president of the LEAD1 Affiliation, which represents 131 athletic administrators within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision. “He understands how you can construct bridges not solely to our faculties however to our policymakers.”
Earlier than serving two phrases as governor in Massachusetts, Baker held govt positions at a well being care firm and was CEO of nonprofit Harvard Pilgrim Well being Care.
