UT DALLAS ATHLETICS HALL OF HONORS
FRED JACOBY
American Southwest Conference Commissioner 1996-2006
FRED JACOBY became the first commissioner for the American Southwest Conference in 1996, directing expansion from an eight-member league to 16 institutions, including the University of Texas at Dallas in 1998. He was also instrumental in shepherding the membership of member institutions from the NAIA to NCAA Division III and developed the conference’s Constitution, By-Laws and Operating Codes. During his tenure, the ASC became one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the nation, both on the field and in the classroom.
When Jacoby retired in 2006, he ended a coaching and athletic administrative career that spanned over 50 years, including 40 years as a conference commissioner. He began his career as a high school and college coach, then helped establish the Wisconsin State University Conference and Ohio Athletic Conference in 1966 before being named Commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Conference in 1971. In 1982, he became Commissioner of the nationally-known Southwest Conference, which included most major universities in the State of Texas, and held that position until 1993, when he joined the Lone Star Conference and began his association with the ASC.
Jacoby is one of the few individuals to serve as commissioner for conferences at all three NCAA divisions. During his career, he has received numerous awards, served on and chaired a variety of high-level NCAA and national organization committees, and still votes in the national college football Harris Poll.
He retired from the Commissioner's position with the ASC and LSC in 2006 and passed away on March 15, 2008 following a yearlong battle with cancer.
