Dell Robinson named to lead OHIO’s AECOM Center for Sports Administration

Ohio University alumnus Dell Robinson has been named as the new executive director of the AECOM Center for Sports Administration in the College of Business. As part of his new role, Robinson has also been named as an executive in residence in sports administration.

A former NCAA Division I athlete with more than 25 years of experience in athletic leadership, Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Center. He previously served as a practice leader and senior consultant with Spelman Johnson, where he led the firm’s athletics practice. He also serves on the board of directors of NACDA’s John McClendon Minority Scholarship Foundation, as a member of the College of Business Executive Advisory Board and previously served as a member of the Ohio University Board of Trustees and as the chair of the National Alumni Association.

“Dell Robinson will be an outstanding leader for the AECOM Center for Sports Administration, and we are thrilled to have him moving into this role,” said Lamar Reams, chair of the College of Business’ Department of Sports Administration. “His knowledge and experience will benefit our students in countless ways and help the internationally-known Center continue to move forward.”

“Dell Robinson’s decades of sports leadership experience and vast industry network will be invaluable resources to our students and alumni,” said Ohio Director of Athletics Julie Cromer. “He is a former Bobcat student-athlete and proud Ohio University alum who is perfectly suited to lead the AECOM Center for Sports Administration.”

The AECOM Center for Sports Administration engages all sports degree programs (undergraduate and graduate) offered through the College of Business. The executive director will lead fundraising, as well as alumni and external relations through the center’s operations. Ohio University’s sports administration graduate program is the oldest sports management program in the world and consistently ranked among the tops in the world.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dell Robinson back to Ohio University and to the Center for Sports Administration,” said Associate Professor Emeritus Dr. Andy Kreutzer, a former director of the sports administration program.  “His experience, leadership, and history of dedication to Ohio University will add to the guidance and direction needed to keep us on our continuing path as one of the, if not the, leading Sports Administration Program in the world.

In his work with Spellman Johnson over the last seven years, Robinson has been regarded as one of the top executive search consultants in intercollegiate athletics. 

Prior to joining Spelman Johnson, Robinson served as commissioner of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). When he assumed the role of GLIAC’s commissioner in July 2009, he became the first person of color to serve as an NCAA Division II commissioner of a non-historically Black college or university conference.

His previous roles have included associate commissioner of legislation and governance at the Mid-American Conference, assistant commissioner for compliance at the Western Athletic Conference, and director of compliance and enforcement at the Southwestern Athletic Conference. He served as vice chair of the NCAA Division II Collegiate Commissioner Association and as chair of the NCAA Division II Football Committee.

He has received numerous awards throughout his career including the Ohio University College of Business award for Achievement in Business, the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award and being named as a recipient of the Ohio University Distinguished Service Award.

“I am honored to move into this role with one of the top-ranked sports administration programs in the world,” Robinson said. “I love Ohio University and am grateful for how my time as a Bobcat has helped to shape my career. I’m looking forward now to serving current and future students as a teacher and administrator, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Robinson earned a BS in physical education from Ohio University and an MS in sports administration from Iowa State University.

He will begin serving in his new role on Aug. 1, 2024.