Michael Gray joined Ohio University as the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance on September 19, 2022. In this role, he oversees compliance operations for the athletics department and serves as the sport administrator for men’s cross country, women’s cross country and track and field. His commitment to ensuring NCAA compliance and supporting student-athlete success is evident through his comprehensive understanding of regulations and dedication to the university's mission.
Before joining Ohio University, Gray was the Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance at Northern Kentucky University from August 2018 to September 2022. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Staff, he was responsible for overseeing compliance functions and acted as the sport administrator for men’s and women’s cross country and track and field. He played a key role in various aspects of NCAA Bylaws, spearheading efforts related to name, image, and likeness within the athletics department. Gray's responsibilities extended to preparing and conducting rules education sessions, investigating NCAA violations, and coordinating the externship program with Chase College of Law.
His previous experience includes serving as the Compliance Coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from November 2016 to June 2018. During this time, Gray continued to excel in compliance coordination. As an Athletics Compliance Coordinator, he served as the primary point of contact for monitoring NCAA Bylaws, administering the Recruiting Certification Exam, and investigating Level III violations. His dedication to upholding compliance standards and providing guidance to coaches, staff, and student-athletes was evident throughout his tenure.
Gray also served as a Compliance Coordinator at Utah Valley University from October 2015 to November 2016. During his tenure, he gained extensive experience in compliance software such as JumpForward, Compliance Assistant, LDBI, and RSRO. Gray's responsibilities included researching and producing educational materials, processing NCAA violations, and conducting initial eligibility evaluations for incoming student-athletes.
Gray has been a member of the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) since 2016 and is currently an Administrative Senate Representative at Ohio University.
Gray holds a Juris Doctorate from Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law (2015) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Kentucky University (2011).
Originally from London, Kentucky, Michael Gray now resides with his wife, Stephanie, their son, Oliver, and their three cats—Celest, Spider, and Marley.
