Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Mourns the Passing of Former Director of Athletics Jim Lessig
June 02, 2023 | General
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -  Bowling Green State University mourns the passing of former BGSU Director of of Athletics and former MAC Commissioner Jim Lessig, who passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by his family. Services will be private. A celebration of life may be announced at a later date.
Lessig, a native of Canton, Ohio, served at BGSU in a variety of capacities, including as the department's Athletics Director from 1978-82. During the 1960s and 70s, he was an assistant basketball coach, assistant athletics director, director of alumni affairs and executive director of alumni and development at the University. He went on to serve as MAC Commissioner from 1982-90 and was inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame in 2014. Lessig joined the BGSU Hall of Fame in 2015.
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In 1969, Lessig left Bowling Green to become assistant basketball coach to Bill Fitch at the University of Minnesota, but one year later he was on the ground floor of the NBA expansion franchise Cleveland Cavaliers as assistant coach, head scout and director of special promotions. He also served as analyst for Cavalier basketball games and Cleveland Indians baseball games.
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Lessig rejoined the Bowling Green staff in 1971 and was named Athletics Director in 1978. He continued his successful career at the University until he was named athletics director at Kansas in May of 1982. However, later in the year, he was summoned back to lead the MAC as Commissioner.
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His leadership in the MAC was a benefit to Bowling Green as he made a significant impact in the early implementation of women's athletics within the conference, provided leadership in facility expansion and improvements and opened the league's television exposure with the advent of regional television expansion.
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During his tenure as Athletics Director at Bowling Green, Lessig oversaw two NCAA tournament appearances for the hockey program, a 1981 men's basketball co-MAC championship and three consecutive women's cross country MAC titles.
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Lessig earned his bachelors degree in English from BGSU in 1957 and his masters degree in school administration and speech in 1967.
Lessig, a native of Canton, Ohio, served at BGSU in a variety of capacities, including as the department's Athletics Director from 1978-82. During the 1960s and 70s, he was an assistant basketball coach, assistant athletics director, director of alumni affairs and executive director of alumni and development at the University. He went on to serve as MAC Commissioner from 1982-90 and was inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame in 2014. Lessig joined the BGSU Hall of Fame in 2015.
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In 1969, Lessig left Bowling Green to become assistant basketball coach to Bill Fitch at the University of Minnesota, but one year later he was on the ground floor of the NBA expansion franchise Cleveland Cavaliers as assistant coach, head scout and director of special promotions. He also served as analyst for Cavalier basketball games and Cleveland Indians baseball games.
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Lessig rejoined the Bowling Green staff in 1971 and was named Athletics Director in 1978. He continued his successful career at the University until he was named athletics director at Kansas in May of 1982. However, later in the year, he was summoned back to lead the MAC as Commissioner.
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His leadership in the MAC was a benefit to Bowling Green as he made a significant impact in the early implementation of women's athletics within the conference, provided leadership in facility expansion and improvements and opened the league's television exposure with the advent of regional television expansion.
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During his tenure as Athletics Director at Bowling Green, Lessig oversaw two NCAA tournament appearances for the hockey program, a 1981 men's basketball co-MAC championship and three consecutive women's cross country MAC titles.
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Lessig earned his bachelors degree in English from BGSU in 1957 and his masters degree in school administration and speech in 1967.
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