Report: Former Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby to Serve as Interim AD at Northern Iowa

From running the Big 12 to leading Northern Iowa? Well, former Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby is set to take over as the interim athletic director at NIU, sources tell ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

And while this might normally be an odd transition, even if only in an interim capacity, it actually makes sense for Bowlsby. Already a member of Northern Iowa’s Sports Hall of Fame, Bowlsby initially made his name as UNI’s Director of Athletics from 1983-1991. He is responsible for creating the school’s Hall of Fame during that time.

Source: Former Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby is set to become the interim AD at Northern Iowa. He started his career as the AD at UNI in 1983.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 29, 2023

Bowlsby jumped to becoming the University of Iowa’s athletic director in 1991. His other notable  professional experiences include serving as an ex officio member of the NCAA Executive Committee; and chairing the NCAA Wrestling Committee, the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee and the Big Ten Championships and Awards Committee. He is a member of the NACDA Executive Committee and the I-A Athletics Directors’ Association Executive Committee.

Bowlsby presided over the Big 12 as commissioner from 2012-2022. He was the fourth commissioner in the conference’s history. Brett Yormark took over for Bowlsby in 2022.