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RICHARDSON, Texas (June 3, 2015) – The Lone Star Conference Council of Presidents selected Jay Poerner to lead the league as its new Commissioner.
Dr. Brian May, chair of the LSC Council of Presidents and president of Angelo State University, made the announcement Tuesday following a national search. The search committee included Presidents Dr. Steven Tallant, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, who served as chair, Dr. Steve Gamble, Eastern New Mexico University, and Dr. Dan Jones, Texas A&M University-Commerce.
“Jay Poerner will be an outstanding commissioner and we are fortunate to have an individual with a tremendous amount of experience along with a great work ethic,” said Dr. May. “Jay is respected around the nation as a commissioner with integrity and we as conference members look forward to his leadership.”
Poerner becomes only the third full-time commissioner of the LSC, a nine-member NCAA Division II athletics conference with headquarters in Richardson, Texas. He follows Fred Jacoby (1994-2006) and Stan Wagnon (2007-14).
“I am pleased with the search process and truly believe we found the right commissioner for the Lone Star Conference,” stated Dr. Tallant. “Jay demonstrated his leadership ability as interim commissioner, and I think we’ve just begun to see his potential as commissioner. The future of the Lone Star Conference is in good hands, and I look forward to working with Jay very much.”
A native of San Antonio, Poerner joined the LSC staff as Assistant Commissioner in 2005, and then added the title of Associate Commissioner prior to the 2013-14 academic year. He was named Interim Commissioner last July.
“I am proud to be chosen as the next Commissioner of the Lone Star Conference. I would like to thank the LSC Council of Presidents for recognizing my passion for this conference and putting their trust in me to lead it to new heights,” said Poerner. “LSC member institutions represent the best in NCAA Division II and I am honored to work with them to build upon this league’s rich history and tradition.”
Over the past 10 months as interim commissioner, Poerner has served as chief administrative officer of the conference overseeing all daily operations. He was responsible for directing championships including the league’s 16-team neutral site basketball tournament played at the Allen Event Center and Lone Star Football Festival held at AT&T Stadium. Furthermore, Poerner worked with the LSC Council of Presidents to expand the league by securing two new members.
“The LSC has always provided its student-athletes a first-class experience and that will continue to be my priority as we strive to grow stronger both athletically and academically,” stated Poerner.
He currently serves on the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct and the National Letter of Intent Advisory Team.
A graduate of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Poerner excelled as a basketball student-athlete leading the squad in scoring and being named the team’s Most Valuable Player three times. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference pick and finished his playing career as the ninth-leading scorer in SMU history.
Poerner resides in Plano, Texas, with his wife, Dana, and daughters, Reese and Brooklynn.
Founded on April 25, 1931, the LSC has grown from a five-team conference of Texas-based schools to a nine-member league that spans three states (Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico). The league is set to grow to 11 members with the addition of Texas-Permian Basin and Western New Mexico in the fall of 2016.
The LSC conducts conference championships in 16 sports (seven men and nine women). Men’s championships include football, cross country, basketball, baseball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and golf. Women’s titles are determined in volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, softball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis and golf.
Poerner leads a two-person conference staff with assistance from Melanie Robotham (Media Relations).
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