CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The NCAA Board of Governors announced today that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D., has been elected chair for a two-year term, effective immediately.
The Board of Governors is the NCAA’s highest legislative body and currently includes only one league commissioner. Bringing together presidents and chancellors from each division, former student-athletes, and select leaders from inside and outside the NCAA membership, the board is responsible for leading the NCAA and presiding over issues that affect the entire membership.
The Board of Governors consists of nine voting members and seven ex officio nonvoting members.
Phillips began his NCAA Board of Governors service in August 2024, representing all of Division I, as a voting member. He assumes the chair position held by Baylor University President Linda Livingstone. He is the first commissioner to serve in the role since the Board was established in 1997.
“Serving on the NCAA Board of Governors has been an incredible honor, and it’s a privilege to be selected as chair,” said Phillips. “During this time of continuous change, I look forward to the ongoing collaboration with my colleagues to elevate the student-athlete experience and further tackle the opportunities and challenges within higher education. I’m also incredibly appreciative of Linda Livingstone, as her steady leadership over the past three years was remarkable.”
“My sincere thanks to Linda for her leadership and service as chair of the board. I’m also grateful to Jim for taking on this role and his continued dedication to the Association,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “His deep experience and strategic mindset will help us build on the momentum and progress already underway.”
“It’s been an honor to serve as chair during a time of important progress for the Association,” Livingstone said. “I have full confidence in Jim’s leadership and know he’ll continue to guide the board with a strong commitment to student-athletes and the future of college sports."
Phillips is the fifth Commissioner in ACC history, having started in 2021. It was announced in June that he was named President of the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA), serving a two-year term. Phillips continues his leadership as part of the College Football Playoff Management Committee and serves on multiple CFP committees. During his career, Phillips has also served on numerous NCAA Committees including as the inaugural chair of the NCAA Division I Council and was the first sitting athletic director appointed to the NCAA Board of Directors and Board of Governors. He was also a member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee as well as the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.
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The Atlantic Coast Conference, in its 73rd year and 18 members strong, stands as one of the most competitive and revered intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members including Boston College, Cal, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, SMU, Stanford, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest are dedicated to upholding the league's founding values of academic excellence, athletic competition at the highest level, and integrity. The ACC supports 28 NCAA sports, with 15 for women and 13 for men, and its member institutions span 12 states. In August 2019, the ACC and ESPN partnered to launch ACC Network (ACCN), a 24/7 national network exclusively devoted to ACC sports and original programming. For more information, visit
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