Horizon League names Jill Bodensteiner as next commissioner

Valparaiso native and former Notre Dame administrator takes over leadership of Indianapolis-based NCAA Division I conference

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Horizon League, an NCAA Division I conference based in Indianapolis, has named Jill Bodensteiner as its next commissioner. Bodensteiner, a Valparaiso native, previously served as the senior associate athletics director at the University of Notre Dame and was named the Nike Division I Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports in 2024.

Why it matters

The Horizon League is one of the most prominent mid-major NCAA Division I conferences, featuring schools like Cleveland State, Northern Kentucky, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Bodensteiner's appointment as commissioner represents a significant leadership transition for the league and an opportunity to build on its recent success and national profile.

The details

As commissioner, Bodensteiner will oversee all aspects of the Horizon League's operations, including scheduling, media rights, and student-athlete development. She brings extensive experience in college athletics administration, having served in various leadership roles at Notre Dame over the past 15 years.

  • Bodensteiner was named the Horizon League's next commissioner on February 12, 2026.
  • She will officially begin her new role on April 1, 2026.

The players

Jill Bodensteiner

A Valparaiso native, Bodensteiner was named the Nike Division I Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports in 2024 and previously served as the senior associate athletics director at the University of Notre Dame.

Horizon League

An NCAA Division I conference based in Indianapolis, the Horizon League features schools like Cleveland State, Northern Kentucky, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“Jill's extensive experience in college athletics administration, combined with her strong leadership skills and deep understanding of the Horizon League, make her the ideal candidate to lead our conference into the future.”

— Valerie Cleary, Horizon League Board of Directors Chair (ibj.com)

What’s next

Bodensteiner will officially begin her role as Horizon League commissioner on April 1, 2026, and is expected to focus on enhancing the conference's national profile and securing new media rights deals.

The takeaway

Bodensteiner's appointment as Horizon League commissioner represents a significant leadership transition for the Indianapolis-based conference, as she brings a wealth of experience in college athletics administration and a proven track record of success in her previous roles.