Ohio State University has announced that Ross Bjork will be joining the institution as the new senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director. Pending approval by the Board of Trustees, Bjork will officially begin his tenure on July 1, 2024, becoming the 9th athletics director in the university's history.

With over 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, Bjork has established an impressive track record in promoting competitive success, enhancing the student-athlete experience, and emphasizing academic excellence. His appointment comes after a comprehensive search to find a leader who can navigate the evolving landscape of college athletics.

Currently serving as the director of athletics at Texas A&M University, Bjork has overseen the success of more than 600 student-athletes competing in 20 varsity sports at the Division I level. Under his leadership, Texas A&M achieved noteworthy accomplishments, including setting new records in overall grade point average, NCAA Graduate Success Rate, and NCAA Academic Progress Rate.

Bjork has also played a pivotal role in fundraising efforts at Texas A&M, spearheading the largest campaign in the history of the athletics department. This campaign has facilitated the construction of a state-of-the-art academic and wellness center, a football indoor performance center, an indoor track stadium, and the redevelopment of the Bright Football Complex.

Recognized for his ability to hire successful coaches, Bjork has made significant contributions to the athletic programs. In 2021, all three of his head coach hires achieved outstanding first seasons, with baseball making it to the final four of the Men's College World Series, women's golf reaching the semi-final match at the NCAA Championships, and men's golf qualifying for the national meet for the first time since 2019.

Bjork's expertise extends beyond athletics administration. In the spring of 2021, he provided guidance to Texas legislators in the development of a name, image, and likeness law and subsequently oversaw the creation of programs that empower student-athletes with resources related to finance, personal branding, networking, and media training.

The decision to appoint Bjork as the new athletics director at Ohio State University was met with enthusiasm from the university community. Hiroyuki Fujita, chair of the Board of Trustees, expressed confidence in Bjork's abilities to lead with innovative thinking. Bjork's appointment aligns with Ohio State's commitment to charting a path forward in the ever-evolving world of college athletics.

Bjork's extensive experience in athletics administration includes serving as director of athletics and vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics at the University of Mississippi. During his time there, he achieved significant milestones, including reorganizing the external relations structure and appointing executive-level administrators for various departments.

Prior to his tenure at the University of Mississippi, Bjork served as the director of intercollegiate athletics at Western Kentucky University, where he saw immediate success in various sports and achieved the highest cumulative grade point average for student-athletes in program history.

As he prepares to take on his new role, Bjork expressed his excitement to be a part of the Ohio State community and its rich tradition of achievement. He emphasized his commitment to leading with confidence and innovative thinking, ensuring a smooth transition with the university's student-athletes, coaches, and department staff.

Bjork's appointment follows the retirement announcement of longtime Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director Gene Smith, who will work alongside Bjork to ensure a seamless transition. The university's search advisory committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, and community members played a crucial role in the selection process.

In his new role as senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, Bjork will join the university's President's Cabinet. He is also actively involved in national organizations such as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee.

Ohio State University eagerly awaits the arrival of Ross Bjork, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to lead the university's athletics program into the future. With his proven track record and passion for excellence, Bjork is poised to continue the legacy of athletic success at Ohio State University.