The NCAA News - News and Features

June 29, 1998

Berst is Division I'snew chief of staff

S. David Berst, who has headed the NCAA enforcement staff since 1988, is the new chief of staff for Division I.

The appointment follows the resignation of the current Division I chief of staff Stephen R. Morgan. Berst will begin his transition from group executive director for enforcement and student-athlete reinstatement June 29.

"The Association is fortunate to have a person with Dave's knowledge and experience move into this important position," NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey said. "Not only does he have enormous experience in the regulatory responsibilities of the Association, but he has also broadened his knowledge of intercollegiate athletics as liaison to several important membership committees."

As chief of staff, Berst will be responsible for coordinating efforts of the headquarters staff to meet the needs of the Division I governance structure. He also will serve as primary liaison to the division's Management Council and Board of Directors.

Berst joined the NCAA staff in 1972 as an enforcement representative, was named director of enforcement in 1977 and was named to head the enforcement staff in 1988.

He also has served as liaison to numerous membership committees, including the Administrative Review Panel, the Committee on Infractions, the Special Committee on Agents and Amateurism, the Special Committee to Enhance the Student-Athlete Special Assistance Fund, and the Special Committee to Review the Enforcement Penalty Structure.

"This new assignment offers me the opportunity to use my experience to assist the Division I membership in evaluating and implementing meaningful changes," Berst said. "There are important issues remaining in helping the new Division I structure mature, and I look forward to making a contribution in that important effort."

Before joining the NCAA staff, Berst was head baseball and assistant basketball coach at MacMurray College and had served as assistant director of admissions at the college before that.

He is a 1968 graduate of MacMurray.