The NCAA today named West Virginia AD OLIVER LUCK to the newly created position of Exec VP/Regulatory Affairs, which will bring the national office regulatory functions -- academic and membership affairs, the Eligibility Center and enforcement -- under one umbrella. Luck will begin the position early next year in the NCAA's Indianapolis HQ, reporting directly to NCAA President MARK EMMERT. Luck will oversee the day-to-day operations in all NCAA regulatory functions. In particular, he will be charged with developing stronger integration among regulatory staffs, improving efficiency and strengthening relationships with NCAA colleges and universities. Luck was recommended by a search committee of reps from NCAA member schools, chaired by Big 12 Commissioner BOB BOWLSBY (NCAA). ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy notes Luck was a member of the inaugural College Football Playoff selection committee and will "have to be replaced" by another Big 12 AD next year. CFP Exec Dir BILL HANCOCK said, "Our group hasn't discussed the matter, but I don't envision a current NCAA employee being eligible to serve." Luck had been WVU's AD since '10 and "was instrumental" in moving the school from the Big East to the Big 12 (ESPN.com, 12/17). In West Virginia, Mike Casazza notes Luck will "be in a position to shape and direct NCAA reform" from Indianapolis, where his oldest son, ANDREW, "just so happens to be" the Colts' QB (CHARLESTONDAILYMAIL.com, 12/17).
EMMERT SOUGHT AD FOR ROLE: A source familiar with the search said that most of the candidates for the NCAA job were sitting ADs because Emmert was looking for someone with experience working on campus. No one on Emmert’s staff previously had that experience. Luck will be one of four Exec VPs who will report directly to Emmert, including MARK LEWIS (Championships & Partnerships), BERNARD FRANKLIN (Membership, Student-Athlete Affairs & Inclusion) and DONALD REMY (Legal). They will serve as peers and represent Emmert’s senior staff, along with Senior VP/Communications BOB WILLIAMS and CFO KATHLEEN MCNEELY. Luck will oversee the NCAA’s regulatory functions, meaning that enforcement, eligibility, and academic and membership affairs will fall under Luck’s direction. A source noted that those three divisions have never been grouped together before, but Emmert believes it will be a more efficient way to operate as the NCAA goes through reform (Michael Smith, Staff Writer).
TWITTER REAX: Luck's appointment drew plenty of discussion on Twitter. ESPN.com's Joe Schad: "Oliver Luck is very pro-student-athlete and can be a creative, outside-the-box thinker. Could push initiatives that help change perceptions." SI's Michael McCann added, "Significance of Oliver Luck joining NCAA can't be overstated. He's a smart attorney and pragmatic. Could be more impactful than any lawsuit." Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman: "Smart move NCAA. Luck's as sharp/forward-thinking as any administrator I've talked to." USA Today's Nicole Auerbach: "Athletic directors did want more of a hands-on role in NCAA reform. Oliver Luck would certainly help with that."
