December 16, 2025
Ferris State President Bill Pink named to NCAA DII Executive Board, giving the university a seat at the table while advocating for student-athletes
Ferris State University President Bill Pink has been named to the NCAA Division II Executive Board, giving the university a seat at the table for important decisions and looking out for all student athletes.
Effective January 2026, Pink will serve as an at-large representative on the board for a two-year term and be eligible for re-election thereafter. He is one of 10 total members who were either re-elected or newly elected.
Pink said high on the priority list for the role is seeing how the behind-the-scenes decisions are made regarding NCAA DII operations, but more importantly, having Ferris State’s name spotlighted nationally.
“I say yes to these kinds of things because it puts Ferris State’s name out there,” he said. “I’m at a point in my career where I’m not out to seek more for my resume. My concern now is two-fold. One: can we get our university into those rooms where things happen? And two: can I lend some input and expertise based on what I’ve been blessed to do in my career? I absolutely love the fact that when you look at who is on the executive board, it says ‘Ferris State.’”
He noted that while serving in the position does provide direct benefits to the university, it also gives more opportunities for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, of which Ferris State is a member.
“The other thing it does… it gives our conference, the GLIAC, a seat at the table,” Pink said. “It represents a GLIAC school that represents that level of governance for the organization. That means a lot to me as well.”
Pink said having an opportunity to be in the role will help to better understand the “why” factor of decisions that affect college sports. He also believes that being closer to decision-making will create a platform that represents both Ferris State and GLIAC.
The culture of college athletics has changed dramatically in recent years. Whether it’s student-athletes securing Name, Image, and Likeness deals, the expansion or redesign of playoff games, or broadcasting rights for media outlets, the NCAA is evolving from a traditional association standpoint.
Growing pains tend to run parallel with evolution.
“I am looking forward, from the Division II perspective, to encouraging everyone on the committee to start thinking, ‘What is best for Division II student-athletes?’” Pink said.
NCAA divides university athletics based on enrollment sizes, with Division I being the largest program. Ferris State has been successful in Division II, with the football team this weekend competing for its fourth national championship in five years and the volleyball team this month reaching the Elite Eight round of the NCAA DII tournament.
“From the standpoint of being unapologetic about making bold moves for Division II,” he said. “That is not to say they haven’t done that, but I think when we look on both sides of us (Division I and III), both of those have made serious shifts for their own decision making and governance on what they do and are going to do,” he said. “I think we need to, from a Division II perspective, step up and say, ‘What about us?’ I don’t think it’s asking anyone else, it’s asking ourselves. What does our decision, our bold move look and sound like?”
A few of those bold moves include how the NCAA Division II Executive Board can amplify on what makes the division stand out from Division I and III. Pink said that pinpointing those unique factors will help Division II craft and promote its identity.
“Sometimes you know who you are, and you don’t tell anyone. There are some cases where that’s OK, humility is needed, but as an organization, you must think in terms of how we can tell our story and brag about it,” he said. “How do we do that in a way that’s going to intentionally and unapologetically inform folks on this is what you get when it comes to Division II. It’s about sharing how we take these amazing athletes and give them a pathway to a degree.”