CSU Director of Athletics Mike Thomas Taking on Increased Roles With NCAA & Horizon League

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Since arriving at Cleveland State a year ago as the sixth Director of Athletics in program history, Mike Thomas has not only started to implement his plan and vision in the CSU Department of Athletics, but has also taken on increased responsibilities within the NCAA, Horizon League and in the community.

Just over the last fews weeks, Thomas has assumed three new responsibilities, including being named the Chair of the Horizon League Council which serves as the governing body of the League.

In addition, Thomas was named the first-ever liaison to the NCAA Division I Ethics Coalition through the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee. As part of the coalition, Thomas will help promote ethical conduct among NCAA Division I men’s basketball coaches through education, leadership and mentoring.

Thomas was also selected to represent the Horizon League on the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association executive committee. The mission of the group is to enhance initiatives common to its Division I-AAA membership (the Division I institutions that do not sponsor football), in particular, aspects related to their flagship basketball programs.

A well-respected leader among his college athletics peers around the country, Thomas is already representing the Horizon League on the NCAA Division I Council, a high-level group that is responsible for the day-to-day decision making for Division I. As part of the council, Thomas was assigned to the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee.

In addition, Thomas is also the Chair of the Horizon League Basketball Issues Committee, serves on the Division I-AAA Mentoring Program and is a Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Board of Trustee member.

A 30-year-plus veteran of college athletics administration with more than 16 years of experience leading Division I athletics departments, Thomas was named the sixth Director of Athletics in CSU history on Feb. 8, 2017 and officially began his duties on March 1, 2017.