Former NCAA President Cedric Dempsey Passes Away at 92

SAN DIEGO — Cedric Dempsey, the former NCAA president who significantly shaped college athletics, passed away Saturday in San Diego at the age of 92, the NCAA announced.

Dempsey’s influence on the NCAA began with his tenure as athletic director at the University of Arizona, a role he held from 1983 to 1994. Under his leadership, Arizona transformed into a national powerhouse in collegiate sports. He later served as the NCAA’s executive director from 1994 to 2002.

<p"Ced was instrumental in shaping the NCAA as it moved into the new century, overseeing a restructuring of the organization and strengthening the foundation of college sports for years that followed his tenure,” said Charlie Baker, the current NCAA president, in a statement.

During Dempsey’s nine years at the helm, he oversaw pivotal changes, including the relocation of the NCAA headquarters from Kansas City to Indianapolis in 1999. His leadership also marked a period of significant fiscal growth characterized by groundbreaking television deals with networks such as ESPN and CBS, which collectively brought in $6.2 billion over 11 years.

“His impact on the lives of student-athletes and administrators across the nation will be felt for years to come,” Baker added.

Dempsey was known for his approachable demeanor and keen sense of humor, making him a beloved figure in collegiate sports. Desireé Reed-Francois, the current athletic director at Arizona, expressed her gratitude, noting, “Cedric painted a picture for me that I could one day be an athletic director. His guidance helped me see a calling I never knew could be possible.”

In addition to his administrative achievements, Dempsey’s tenure at Arizona saw the Wildcats secure five national championships, 39 individual NCAA titles, and 17 Pac-10 championships. His legacy is also marked by his role as chairman of the men’s basketball selection committee during the 1988-89 season.

Born in Equality, Illinois, Dempsey was an accomplished athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball at Albion College in Michigan. He began his career in sports administration in 1965 at Albion, later serving as athletic director at Pacific, San Diego State, and Houston before joining Arizona.

Dempsey’s remarkable contributions to the NCAA earned him recognition as a national figure in the sports community. Bob Lawless, former chair of the NCAA executive committee, acknowledged Dempsey’s impact, stating, “I think the NCAA is where it is today because of Ced. He has been a real treasure for the NCAA.”

Throughout his life, Dempsey battled cancer three times but remained a dedicated advocate for college athletics until his passing. He is survived by his wife, June, and their two children. Tributes are pouring in from across the college sports landscape as the University of Arizona community mourns the loss of their former athletic director.