MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher: Central Michigan a storied name in college football
Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher addresses media members July 29, 2015 at MAC Media Day at Ford Field (Photo courtesy of Mid-American Conference).
Among those in attendance at Kelly/Shorts Stadium last Thursday night for Central Michigan football's season opener was Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher.
During halftime of the Chippewas' 49-3 win over Presbyterian, Steinbrecher spoke with Central Michigan Life about the future of the MAC and issues in college athletics.
CM LIFE: How do you like it here at Kelly/Shorts Stadium?
STEINBRECHER: It's always great to be up here. The fall is such a beautiful time and it's a great turn out by the fans and students. It's great to finally get the season under way.
Coach Bonamego is in his second year. How do you think he's done so far?
He's done great — what a great fit. There's something special when it's a person at his school (who) has history here. The enthusiasm and love for the institution he brings is just infectious.
Where do you see the program down the road?
I have high hopes the trajectory keeps going upward. It was a good first year and we hope for more of the same. Central Michigan is one of the storied names in college football. We have high expectations for the Chips.
What's your vision for the MAC?
If we were to go back over the last five to 10 years, it's been a very good period of time for our conference. We have high expectations for our teams. We expect to be competing for that first bowl slot. This year, we expect to be in the Cotton Bowl. We expect to do well in non-conference games and across all of our sports.
How would you compare the MAC to bigger conferences like the Big Ten?
We are coming off a year in football where we were second-rated of the group of five conferences. We had a Top 30 team in baseball and a national player of the year. (Akron) men's soccer program got to the College Cup. We are probably the most fiscally efficient group of schools at the FBS level. It's amazing the productivity we get out of the dollars we invest in our sports.
How long do you see yourself staying at your current position?
As long as they will have me. I have one of the best jobs in the country. I work for a great group of schools. The students we have are truly special. A lot of tradition at these schools. Central Michigan means something when it goes into Toledo or Northern Illinois. There's a long tradition of rivalries and it's fun to watch the kids compete.
At MAC Media Day, you spoke about violence, such as sexual assaults, that have been committed by college athletes. How can the MAC and CMU help to monitor violence?
The issue of sexual assault is an issue beyond athletics. It's an issue beyond our institutions. It's a societal issue and it's something we are dealing with. Our administrators are focused on it, so you've got a prevention component of it. Then there's a component of when issues do arise. Do you manage those issues in an appropriate fashion that's fair for everyone involved?
Is there anything you would change about college athletics if you could?
I'd love to see our revenue distributed a little differently. We're fortunate with what we have. There's always things you would tweak here and there, but I like what we're doing. Our students have great opportunities and I hope fans keep coming out to support their favorite teams.
