Ball State University Athletics
Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns Named to College Football Playoff Board of Managers
July 29, 2026 | Football, General
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns has been selected to serve as the Mid-American Conference's representative on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers, the Conference announced Wednesday.
"I am honored to be selected to the College Football Playoff Board of Managers," President Mearns said. "This is an exciting opportunity for Ball State University and for the Mid-American Conference, and I look forward to contributing to the important work of this committee in its role of guiding the future of college football."
The CFP Board of Managers is composed of presidents and chancellors representing the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, along with the University of Notre Dame.
The Board of Managers governs the CFP's business, property and affairs by developing, reviewing and approving annual budgets, policies and operating guidelines. The board also appoints and removes CFP officers and maintains authority over all aspects of the organization's operations.
Mearns succeeds University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi as the Mid-American Conference's representative on the board.
"President Mearns is an experienced and highly respected leader who will represent the Mid-American Conference exceptionally well on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers," MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said. "His extensive service in NCAA governance, combined with his background as a university president and former collegiate student-athlete, gives him a valuable perspective as the board addresses important decisions affecting the future of college football."
Mearns has served as the 17th president of Ball State University since May 2017. Under his leadership, the University has advanced its long-term strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, increased alumni engagement and fundraising, expanded public-private partnerships and strengthened its commitment to the Muncie community.
A former competitive collegiate athlete, Mearns has held several prominent NCAA governance positions, including service on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, Division I Administrative Committee, Division I Budget and Finance Committee and NCAA Board of
Governors Finance and Audit Committee. He has also served as chair of the Division I Infractions Process Committee.
Before joining Ball State, Mearns served for five years as president of Northern Kentucky University. He previously held leadership positions at Cleveland State University, first as dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and later as provost.
Prior to his career in higher education, Mearns served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice. He earned his bachelor's degree in English from Yale University and his law degree from the University of Virginia.
About the Mid-American Conference
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Current full member MAC institutions include the University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, the University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, the University of Massachusetts, Miami University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan University.
"I am honored to be selected to the College Football Playoff Board of Managers," President Mearns said. "This is an exciting opportunity for Ball State University and for the Mid-American Conference, and I look forward to contributing to the important work of this committee in its role of guiding the future of college football."
The CFP Board of Managers is composed of presidents and chancellors representing the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, along with the University of Notre Dame.
The Board of Managers governs the CFP's business, property and affairs by developing, reviewing and approving annual budgets, policies and operating guidelines. The board also appoints and removes CFP officers and maintains authority over all aspects of the organization's operations.
Mearns succeeds University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi as the Mid-American Conference's representative on the board.
"President Mearns is an experienced and highly respected leader who will represent the Mid-American Conference exceptionally well on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers," MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said. "His extensive service in NCAA governance, combined with his background as a university president and former collegiate student-athlete, gives him a valuable perspective as the board addresses important decisions affecting the future of college football."
Mearns has served as the 17th president of Ball State University since May 2017. Under his leadership, the University has advanced its long-term strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, increased alumni engagement and fundraising, expanded public-private partnerships and strengthened its commitment to the Muncie community.
A former competitive collegiate athlete, Mearns has held several prominent NCAA governance positions, including service on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, Division I Administrative Committee, Division I Budget and Finance Committee and NCAA Board of
Governors Finance and Audit Committee. He has also served as chair of the Division I Infractions Process Committee.
Before joining Ball State, Mearns served for five years as president of Northern Kentucky University. He previously held leadership positions at Cleveland State University, first as dean of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and later as provost.
Prior to his career in higher education, Mearns served as a federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice. He earned his bachelor's degree in English from Yale University and his law degree from the University of Virginia.
About the Mid-American Conference
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Current full member MAC institutions include the University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, the University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, the University of Massachusetts, Miami University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan University.
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