Cleveland State's Mike Thomas Named to NCAA Division I Council

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State Director of Athletics Mike Thomas has been appointed to represent the Horizon League on the NCAA Division I Council.

The Division I Council is a high-level group responsible for the day-to-day decision-making for Division I. Athletics directors, athletics administrators, senior women administrators, faculty athletics representatives and student-athletes serve on the Council.

Every Division I conference is represented on the Council, which replaced the Leadership and Legislative Councils in the previous structure.

"We're excited to have Mike Thomas representing the Horizon League on the NCAA Council," Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone said. "Mike's broad experience will add depth and perspective to the national dialogue."

Thomas, a 30-year-plus veteran of college athletics administration with more than 15 years of experience leading Division I athletics departments, is in his first year as the Director of Athletics at CSU. He was named the sixth Director of Athletics in CSU history on Feb. 8 and officially began his duties on March 1.

Recognized for his administrative acumen by his peers throughout his career, Thomas has served on several national and conference committees, including the NCAA Division I Championship/Sports Management Cabinet (where he also served as the NCAA men's basketball liaison to the cabinet and as a member of the cabinet's four-person Administrative Committee) and the NCAA Men's Basketball Issues Committee.

Thomas also previously chaired the Big East Championship and Competition Committee and served as a member of the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet, the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issues Committee, the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet, the NCAA Postseason Bowl Licensing Subcommittee and the Division IA Athletics Director's Association Legislative Review Committee.