Lawrence Schovanec replaces West Virginia University president E. Gordon Gee as the representative from the Big 12 Conference.
Texas Tech University President Lawrence Schovanec has been named to the College Football Playoff (CFP) Board of Managers, the Big 12 Conference announced Thursday, July 31.
“I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the College Football Playoff Board of Managers, especially at a time when critical decisions will be made regarding the future of the CFP,” Schovanec said. “I look forward to representing Texas Tech and the Big 12 Conference as I work with colleagues on the Board in the best interests of our student-athletes, their coaches and the fans.”
The Board of Mangers is part of the CFP Administration, LLC, which manages the administrative operations of the College Football Playoff. Representatives from the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences, along with the University of Notre Dame, comprise the CFP governance group.
The Board of Managers is charged with governing the CFP’s business, property and affairs by developing, reviewing and approving annual budgets, policies and operating guidelines. The board also appoints and removes officers of the CFP and has authority over all aspects of the company’s operations.
Schovanec replaces West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee as the Big 12 Conference representative on the board.
“President Schovanec is an excellent choice to serve as the Big 12’s representative on the CFP Board of Managers,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “His leadership has elevated Texas Tech and the Big 12. He will do a great job representing the interests of college football.”
Schovanec has served as the 17th president of Texas Tech since 2016 after holding several positions at the university, including provost. During his time as president, Texas Tech has received more than $1 billion in philanthropic gifts and overseen an investment of more than $900 million in university infrastructure improvements.
He previously served as chair of both the Texas Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors and the Texas Internal Education Consortium.
Schovanec also chaired the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023 and was instrumental in the hiring of Yormark in 2022 to lead the conference into the future.
He serves on the executive board for the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education, representing the United States, and is a member of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators.