Visionary Sports Administrator Cedric Dempsey Dies at Age 92
Cedric Dempsey, one of the most respected leaders in college sports history, passed away on Saturday in San Diego at the age of 92. For decades, he was the kind of steady, forward-thinking presence that helped shape college athletics into what we know today — not with ego or flash, but with integrity, vision, and a calm kind of wisdom.
Dempsey was best known for his time as NCAA president from 1994 to 2002, where he helped bring massive structural and financial changes to the organization. But his story started long before that — and touched countless people along the way.
From Equality, Illinois to the Top of College Sports
Dempsey grew up in the small town of Equality, Illinois, and his early years were marked by a love for sports. He played football, basketball, and baseball at Albion College in Michigan, the kind of well-rounded student-athlete you rarely see anymore. But it wasn’t just about playing the games. Dempsey understood early on that sports could shape lives.
After a short stint coaching basketball and cross country at his alma mater, he stepped into administration. That decision kicked off a nearly five-decade journey that took him across the country — from Pacific to San Diego State, then Houston, and finally, Arizona — where he would leave his biggest mark.
A Golden Era in the Desert
When Dempsey arrived at the University of Arizona in 1983, the school was poised for something big — and he helped make it happen. During his 11 years leading Arizona’s athletic department, the school hired future Hall of Famers like basketball coach Lute Olson and football coach Dick Tomey. These weren’t just hires — they were turning points. Under Dempsey’s leadership, Arizona became a national name.
Wildcat teams racked up five national championships and 17 Pac-10 titles during his tenure. But more than wins and banners, Dempsey created a culture that athletes, coaches, and administrators still talk about to this day.
Leading the NCAA Through Change
In 1994, Dempsey was named the sixth president of the NCAA. It was a time of change, and he was the perfect person to guide the organization through it. He oversaw the NCAA’s move from Kansas City to Indianapolis in 1999 — a decision that not only gave the organization a more centralized home but signaled a new era.
But perhaps his biggest impact came with money. Dempsey helped strike huge TV deals with ESPN and CBS, worth over $6 billion over 11 years. Those deals changed everything, creating the modern commercial structure of college sports that we see today.
And yet, he always seemed to keep student-athletes at the center of it all.
“Ced was instrumental in shaping the NCAA as it moved into the new century,” said current NCAA President Charlie Baker. “His impact on student-athletes and administrators across the country will be felt for years to come.”
Source: Cedric Dempsey, former NCAA president, dies at age 92
More Than a Leader — A Mentor
What made Dempsey truly special wasn’t just what he accomplished. It was the way he made people feel. He wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but he had a way of making others believe in themselves.
Desireé Reed-Francois, the current athletic director at Arizona, credits Dempsey for helping her see a path she never thought possible.
“Twenty-one years ago, Cedric painted a picture for me that I could one day be an athletic director,” she said. “His guidance helped me see a calling I never knew could be possible. I’ll never forget that.”
They first met while she was working in compliance and administration at Fresno State. That small moment of encouragement stayed with her — and shaped the course of her career.
Humble to the End
Even after retiring from the NCAA in 2002, Dempsey didn’t exactly fade away. He served as commissioner of the short-lived All-American Football League from 2007 to 2010 and remained a respected voice in sports for years.
He also fought cancer three times — and beat it each time. That quiet strength, the same calm resolve that made him such an effective leader, never left him.
“He has been a real treasure for the NCAA,” said Bob Lawless, former chairman of the NCAA executive committee when Dempsey retired. “I think the NCAA is where it is today because of Ced.”
A Lasting Legacy
Dempsey is survived by his wife, June, and their two children. His name is etched into multiple Halls of Fame, but more importantly, into the hearts of those who knew and worked with him.
He wasn’t the kind of guy who needed credit or headlines. But if you take a good look at where college sports are today — the TV deals, the structured leadership, the steady growth — you’ll see his fingerprints all over it.
Cedric Dempsey didn’t just work in sports. He helped build the very foundation modern college athletics stands on. And even though he’s gone, his influence will be felt for generations.
Rest in peace, Ced. You did it the right way.
Read More: Blue Jays and Vlad Jr. Agree to Whopping $500 Million Extension