The Mid-American Conference announced Thursday that long-time commissioner Rick Chryst will step down on June 30, when his current contract expires.

Chryst, 47, is the third-longest serving commissioner in the 63-year history of the league, having held the post since May 1999.

I have been privileged to serve an outstanding group of institutions, administrators and student-athletes during a time of unprecedented achievement for the MAC, Chryst said in a statement.

The time is right for me, both personally and professionally, to make a move, and I look forward to working with the leadership of the conference on a smooth transition.

The MAC has retained an executive search firm to help find a replacement.

Since 1999, MAC football teams have 38 nonconference wins over schools from BCS automatic-qualifying conferences and seven wins over nationally ranked teams. The four victories over Big Ten teams in 2008 were the most in conference history.

Posted on January 30th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football