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Why hiring new president Santa J. Ono is a win for Michigan athletics

Josh Henschke • Maize&BlueReview
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The search for the next president at the University of Michigan has come to a close, as the university Board of Regents are expected to name the University of British Columbia's Santa J. Ono to the position during a special meeting on Wednesday, the Maize & Blue Review has confirmed.

Ono's resume as a faculty member and a leader is impressive, including faculty positions with prestigious universities such as John Hopkins University and Harvard University. He's also served as president at the University of Cincinnati and his current presidency stint at British Columbia.

Ono's arrival in Ann Arbor comes at an interesting inflection point when it comes to the University of Michigan's athletic department. With the development of NIL under the microscope, the hope was that the university's next leader would help lead the athletic department into the next era of NIL.

U-M's hiring of Ono does just that and here's why.

When it comes to student life, he 'gets' it

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When it comes to branding, Ono understands the importance of attracting a school to the younger generation. During his time in Cincinnati, Ono found himself a bit of a celebrity to the student body.

Not only did he use social media to relate to the students, but he was also humorous and relatable. Creating the #HottestCollegeinAmerica trend, a phrase that Ono created to discuss the school, which was a hit with the students.

He would often walk around campus, shake hands and take the time to speak to students. Which often saw people flocking to him when he was out and about. This is something U-M hasn't seen from a leader.

Ono's genuine attempts to connect with the student body, especially at sporting events, is another unique twist that can be offered up.

Especially when he openly crowds surfs with the students on multiple occasions.

Athletic advancement

"He has been a game-changer for us in athletics. Dr. Ono has left an indelible imprint on the intensity and interest in being a Bearcat."

Those were the words former Cincinnati athletic director Mike Bohn, told The Cincinnati Enquirer after Ono's departure to British Columbia.

That in itself is a major win for any university that would end up hiring Ono in the future, which is to U-M's benefit. It goes without saying that Ono hasn't been brought in to 'fix' anything when it comes to U-M athletics, as the department is very much healthy and thriving on its own.

However, when you have an advocate in your corner like Ono is with all athletic programs, life is much easier if you're Warde Manuel.

During his time in Cincinnati, Ono was responsible for advocating for major advancements to Nippert Stadium, the Bearcats' football stadium.

You can read more on there, here.

On top of that, Ono helped lead the charge for Cincinnati to join the Big 12 Conference, a deal that Ono had expressed interest in since 2016. The deal for the Bearcats, Houston and UCF to join the Big 12 officially went through in 2022.

From an excerpt from ABC 9:

But Ono, who left UC in 2016 to become president of the University of British Columbia, defended UC’s use of athletic subsidies to “win the conference realignment sweepstakes.” He said UC needed to invest heavily in sports so it could join an elite conference with national media contracts that allow a handful of programs to break even on sports.

“If you’re going to have an athletic program, you have to be ready to invest in it,” Ono said. “And if you want to actually address that structural deficit, you have to be in the Power Five.”

Also, according to ABC 9, Cincinnati has spent $200 million since 2010. While Ono was president from 2012 to 2016, he was responsible for a portion of that investment. Considering Cincinnati doesn't have the fundraising prowess as Michigan does, having a leader in place that supports the advancement of the athletic department is always a good thing.

For someone who understands that athletics are an investment and important, it checks the boxes that many were looking for during the search for Michigan's next president.

What does this mean for NIL?

While a quick search across the internet shows that Ono has not been on record to discuss Name, Image and Likeness yet, you can assume that he would be in support of it. Throughout the search, those involved in athletics wanted two things to be a priority.

1. Supporting the advancement of the athletic department

2. Supporting the advancement of NIL

Both of those requirements will be satisfied with the hiring of Ono. He won't have his hands on everything, he will be supportive and allow the NIL to operate within reason.

With a major NIL collective very close to being released, Ono's hiring could not come at a better time for Michigan athletics.

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