Bob Bowlsby Named Big 12 Commissioner

The Big 12 Conference has officially named its new commissioner in former Stanford Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby.

"I am proud to have been selected to lead the Big 12 Conference as its Commissioner. The member institutions represent the best in competitive intercollegiate athletics and they occupy a prominent place in the history of sports in America," said Bowlsby. "The future is exceedingly bright and I look forward to engaging with my colleagues to achieve great things in the years ahead."

The Conference introduced Bowlsby in a Friday morning press conference.

Bowlsby becomes the fourth Commissioner of the Big 12 and takes over takes over for interim Commissioner Chuck Neinas who has served since former commissioner Dan Beebe stepped down in September 2011.

"The institutions of the Big 12 wanted a Commissioner that could take us to the next era as a conference with the addition of TCU and WVU, and we unanimously agreed Bob is that leader," said Big 12 Board of Directors Chairman and Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis. "The search committee looked for a candidate that has a vision for the next generation of college athletics, and his credentials and ideas exceeded this. He understands enhancing athletic competition among conference schools, the challenge of balancing academics and athletics for our student-athletes, and working with our broadcast and bowl partners."

Bowlsby will begin his duties on June 15.

In his six years at Stanford, Bowlsby has helped oversee the transformation of the Stanford football program back into a national power.

He was hired away from Iowa in 2006, following 15 years running the Hawkeyes' athletic department.

Bowlsby has previously served as president of the NCAA Division I-A Athletics Directors' Association, chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, and chaired the NCAA Management Council. In addition, he has also chaired the NCAA Wrestling Committee, served on NCAA committees on Financial Aid and Amateurism, the Special Committee to Review Amateurism Issues, and the Special Committee to Review Financial Conditions in Athletics.

The Big 12 enters this fall with 10 members, including two new additions in TCU and West Virginia.

Big 12 Commissioners
1995-97 - Steve Hatchell
1998 - Dave Martin (Interim)
1998-07 - Kevin Weiberg
2007-11 - Dan Beebe
2011-12 - Chuck Neinas (Interim)