athletics, horizon league, ashley stone, steve waterfield, ora pescovitz, governance
July 13, 2023
The Horizon League announced this week key leadership roles in its governance structure for the 2023-24 academic year.
Oakland University President Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz will continue as Chair of the Board of Directors after beginning her term this winter. Oakland Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield has been appointed the Council Vice Chair. In addition, Oakland Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Experience Ashley Stone will serve as Chair of the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) advisory group
“We are energized about the leadership throughout our governance structure with a strong group of individuals who are willing to step up and lead. It is a dynamic time in college athletics and we are fortunate to have Presidents Pescovitz and Edwards along with Scott and Steve in these key roles,” said Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach.
Pescovitz was named the President of Oakland University in 2017 and is distinguished by a range of academic, medical, research and business expertise. She also represents the Horizon League on the NCAA Board of Directors.
Waterfield was appointed Director of Athletics at Oakland University in 2018 and led the Horizon League’s Basketball Scheduling Committee as Chair the past two years. Waterfield holds a law degree, a master's in business administration and a master's in sports management.
Stone joined Oakland University in May 2019 and as a member of the senior management team, she oversees student service and sport performance areas to support and foster the continued development, health, safety, and well-being of 350+ student-athletes.
"It is an honor for me to work with the NCAA and the Horizon League, and I am tremendously proud of Steve, Ashley and our colleagues and student athletes from the other member schools who have taken on leadership roles,” said Pescovitz. “The future of the Horizon League is very bright and our student athletes are some of the best in all of college athletics, both academically in the classroom and while competing in their respective sports.”
2023-24 Horizon League Leadership
Board of Directors Chair: Dr. Ora Pescovitz, Oakland President
Board of Directors Vice Chair: Dr. Susan Edwards, Wright State President
Council Chair: Scott Garrett, Cleveland State Director of Athletics
Council Vice Chair: Steve Waterfield, Oakland Director of Athletics
SWA Chair: Ashley Stone, Oakland Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Experience
SWA Vice Chair: Joylynn Brown, Wright State Deputy Athletics Director
FAR Chair: Dr. Robert Kleidman, Cleveland State Faculty Athletics Representative
FAR Vice Chair: Dr. Chet Cooper, Youngstown State Faculty Athletics Representative
Division I SAAC and Student-Athlete Council Representative: Betsey Walkowiak, Green Bay swimming and diving
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