BIG RAPIDS — Ferris State University President Bill Pink has been appointed to the NCAA Division II Executive Board, effective January 2026. His role will provide the university with significant representation in decisions affecting student-athletes.
As an at-large representative, Pink’s two-year term on the board will allow him to advocate for student-athletes while enhancing Ferris State’s visibility on a national scale. He joins nine other board members in an effort to influence NCAA DII operations and elevate the profile of Ferris State University.
Bill Pink expressed his motivation for accepting the role by stating, “I say yes to these kinds of things because it puts Ferris State’s name out there.” He emphasized the importance of having Ferris State’s recognition and contributions acknowledged in discussions affecting college athletics.
Pink noted that this position will not only benefit Ferris State but also enhance the influence of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), saying, “It gives our conference, the GLIAC, a seat at the table.” Through this seat, he aims to offer a voice for the conference in vital deliberations regarding student-athlete welfare.
To further advocate for Division II student-athletes, Pink highlighted his commitment to encouraging discussions centered around their needs. “I’m looking forward from the Division II perspective, to encouraging everyone on the committee to start thinking, ‘What is best for Division II student-athletes?’” he said. This concern underscores the significance of student welfare amid the evolving landscape of college athletics.
Reflecting on the changes occurring within NCAA athletics, Pink remarked, “Growing pains tend to run parallel with evolution.” He recognizes the challenges and shifts in governance that come with the changing environment in intercollegiate sports and expresses urgency for bold actions for Division II.
Ferris State has made significant strides in athletics, with the football team competing for its fourth national championship in five years and the volleyball team advancing to the Elite Eight in the NCAA DII tournament. Pink remarked, “What about us? I don’t think it’s asking anyone else, it’s asking ourselves.” This statement emphasizes the necessity for Division II to assert its identity and challenges within the current NCAA framework.
Bill Pink’s term on the NCAA Division II Executive Board begins in January 2026, during which he will continue advocating for student-athletes and representing both Ferris State and the GLIAC at national decision-making levels.