IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox announced today that Matt Wolfert has been named the new President of the IHSAA Foundation.
In his role as chief administrator, Wolfert will oversee the day‐to‐day operations of the Foundation including the development and fundraising efforts to support its programs and the distribution of scholarships and grants. He will begin his duties September 1.
Wolfert joins the Association following a one‐year stint as Director of Major Gifts at Cathedral High School where he was a member of an Advancement team which raises over $4 million annually for the state’s largest Catholic high school. Prior to Cathedral, Wolfert had served as Director of Corporate Relationships for the NCAA from 2012 to 2016 and at Ball State University as Associate Director of Athletics – External Affairs from 2004 to 2012.
While at the NCAA, Wolfert directed and coordinated all aspects of the NCAA Corporate Champion and Partner program, managed the day‐to‐day relationship with Turner Sports/CBS Sports for multi‐media rights, and handled the sales relationship with ESPN and the Golf Channel on NBC.
At Ball State University, he directed supervision in the areas of Budgeting & Forecasting / Athletic Business Services, Corporate Sponsorships & Sales, and Ticket Sales/Operations and Customer Service among many others. He also assisted in the Cardinal Commitment Campaign as well as gifts to fund the Briner Sports Complex and the football stadium renovation project.
“The IHSAA Foundation is enthusiastic to acquire the services of Matt Wolfert.” Cox said. “Matt’s experience, energy and passion for education‐based athletics will serve him well as he grows our Foundation to provide enhanced opportunities for our member schools and student athletes.”
Wolfert is an Indiana University graduate earning a B.S. degree in Sport Marketing and Management in 1989. He earned an M.S. degree in Sports Administration and Facility Management a year later from Ohio University. Interestingly, his daughter Emily played on Yorktown’s 2011 volleyball state championship team, was Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year and named the Mental Attitude Award recipient following that year’s final match.
“I’m humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to join the IHSAA team and lead the Foundation,” Wolfert said. “This is an exciting time for the Foundation and its growth. We have meaningful, necessary and important programs to develop and create to serve our member schools, coaches, administrators and especially our student athletes. I look forward to the challenge and the opportunity to make a difference around the entire state.”
The IHSAA Foundation was created and formed by the Executive Committee in June 2015 to operate exclusively for the charitable benefits of IHSAA member schools and their student‐athletes. The IHSAA Page 2 of 2 Foundation will award college scholarships to student‐athletes in their pursuit of post‐secondary education. It also will support IHSAA member schools through a grant program designed to help fund special projects.
The Foundation is overseen by a Board of Directors which include: J. Terry Clapacs, Vice President Emeritus of Indiana University; Dr. Phil N. Eskew, Jr., retired Director of Physician and Patient Relations at St. Vincent Hospital and current professor at the IU School of Medicine; Joseph Jordan, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne; James T. Morris, Vice President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment; Blake Ress, Commissioner Emeritus of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.; Patrick Shoulders, partner in the Evansville law firm of Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel Shoulders, LLP; Milton O. Thompson, Attorney, Indianapolis law firm of Bleeke Dillon Crandall; and Jennifer K. Wilfong, Vice President and Executive Coach at Merrill Lynch; and Bobby Cox, IHSAA Commissioner. Eskew serves as chairman of the group.