Jay Jones, NCAA director of academic and membership affairs for Division III, has been selected as commissioner of the Sunshine State Conference, effective September 14.

Jones will replace Mike Marcil, who resigned earlier this year.

Before his role with Division III, Jones worked extensively with Division II, serving as a legislative liaison to the Divisions II Management and Presidents Councils.

“We are extremely pleased and excited to have successfully recruited Jay, with his extraordinary experience in intercollegiate athletics and with the NCAA, to be the SSC commissioner,” said Florida Southern President Anne B. Kerr, who also serves as conference president. “He has been a primary force in building the Division II philosophy and brand at the NCAA.”

Jones said the academic and athletics accomplishments of the Sunshine State Conference have made it a leading Division II conference. “And I believe our best days are still ahead,” he said. “It is a great honor to begin working with the outstanding colleges and universities of the Sunshine State Conference.”

Jones has served more than 11 years as an administrator within collegiate athletics and has both campus and national governance-level experience. Jones has been with the NCAA since 2003 and before that held compliance positions at St. Louis and South Florida. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education with a major in sports management from Tennessee, plus a master’s degree in business administration and a juris doctorate degree from Stetson.

Jones’ wife, Maritza, also serves on the national office staff.