Dave Gray named OHSAA Interim Commissioner

COLUMBUS – Former OHSAA Board of Directors President Dave Gray has been named Interim Commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association following action by the OHSAA Board of Directors at a special meeting last week. Gray, who spent 37 years in the Franklin Monroe Local School District in Pitsburg, Ohio, before retiring in 2012, will fill in for OHSAA Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross, who is recovering from a series of health setbacks.

Gray, who has served as chair of the OHSAA’s Student Eligibility Appeals Panel for the past three years, begins his duties Monday (June 20). While a member of the OHSAA’s Southwest District Athletic Board for 29 years, he served two stints as an officer of the OHSAA Board of Directors, including vice president in 1992-93 and president in 2010-11.

“The Board of Directors felt that our number one priority was for Dan to regain his strength and strictly concentrate on getting healthy,” said Steve Stirn, current president of the OHSAA Board of Directors. “At the same time, we recognize that the commissioner’s position has so many duties and the office staff has a lot on their plates, so we believe the appropriate move was to appoint someone to help ensure that we do not fall off course and continue to provide all of the services that our member schools expect. Dave is well respected, has long ties to the OHSAA and has a wealth of experience, so he is the perfect person to help lead us during Dan’s absence. We’re excited that he has accepted this role.”

No timetable has been set for the duration of Gray’s appointment, as Dr. Ross will have the option of returning to his position as commissioner once he returns to good health.

“I am honored and humbled to serve the OHSAA in this new capacity while Dr. Ross is recovering from his health issues,” Gray said. “In my years on the Board of Directors, the Southwest District Board and the OHSAA Appeals Panel, I have enjoyed being a part of the OHSAA and all the great things that interscholastic sports can provide for young people. I look forward to working with the OHSAA staff on a daily basis on behalf of all the constituents that we serve. Together, we’ll help keep Ohio as a national leader.”

Gray was the superintendent at Franklin Monroe during his last 20 years in the district (1992-2012). He served as a coach, athletic administrator and principal before becoming the district’s leader. He began his career in education in 1973 in the Twin Valley Community Local School District in West Alexandria. A graduate of Arcanum High School, Dave was a member of the school’s 1969 state championship basketball team and he scored a small-school state tournament record 45 points in the semifinals. He went on to earn NAIA All-America honors in basketball at Earlham College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and he earned a master’s degree at the University of Dayton.

Gray and his wife, Susan, reside in Greenville and have three children and have six grandchildren.

Dr. Ross is completing his 12th year as commissioner after beginning his duties as the OHSAA’s ninth commissioner on August 1, 2004. Health issues have limited him in his position since November 2015. Associate Commissioner Bob Goldring had been serving as the association’s acting commissioner since mid-March and will return to his position, which includes director of operations.

Category: High School, Sports