An Interview With Ced Dempsey - by Mark Schulze

Ced Dempsey and Director of Photography/Videographer, Mark Schulze - Photo by Patty Mooney

Now that March has roared in like a lion, it seems like a great time to talk about the day we shot a short interview of Ced Dempsey, who is one of the most respected men involved with intercollegiate athletics in the United States.

According to his bio on the Albion College website, Ced Dempsey, who has been President of the NCAA since 1994, "has championed athletic involvement as a means of enhancing international understanding. He provides leadership for the more than 1,200 colleges, universities, conferences, and affiliated organizations that comprise the association."

Additionally, "A nine-time letter winner in three different sports at Albion (football, basketball, and baseball), Ced was named the MIAA Most Valuable Player in basketball his senior year and was inducted as a charter member of the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. From 1959 to 1962, Ced served as Albion’s head basketball and cross country coach. The following year he was dean of men."

"Prior to joining the NCAA, he was director of athletics at four institutions, the University of Arizona, University of the Pacific, San Diego State University, and the University of Houston.
He earned a doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1963. A recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Albion in 1993, he was presented with an honorary doctor of laws degree from the College in 1995."

"He and his wife, June Luke Dempsey, ’54, recently funded extensive improvements in the College’s softball field. The Dempseys are the parents of three children and reside in Indianapolis."

It was a great pleasure for my wife, Patty, who is also my sound person, and I to meet Mr. Dempsey. It would be difficult to meet a more gracious man. Although Patty met the late, great Pete Newell a couple of years ago, just before he passed, and he, too, was fantastic.

The great Pete Newell - Photo by Patty Mooney