U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee appoints Stanford’s John Donahoe to the USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council

Donahoe will begin his term starting this fall

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee today announced John Donahoe (Stanford University) will join the USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council as the Atlantic Coast Conference representative. Donahoe will replace his predecessor from Stanford, Bernard Muir. 

“The collegiate system is a critical pathway for Team USA athletes, and the insight of collegiate leaders is essential to navigating this evolving landscape together," said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. "With LA28 and Utah 2034 bringing the Games back to the United States, the opportunity for collegiate athletics to play a central role for Team USA is greater than ever. We’re excited to welcome John to the College Advisory Council, and know his deep commitment to student-athletes and to Olympic and Paralympic sport will be invaluable ahead of a historic decade for Team USA."

Donahoe will begin his appointment at the council’s September meeting. As the collegiate athletics landscape continues to evolve, the council remains focused on its mission to identify and implement strategies that will sustain and grow broad-based sport sponsorship and investment across NCAA Divisions I, II and III. The council’s work is rooted in three priority areas: broad-based advocacy, financial sustainability, and audience development.

Donahoe recently concluded his first year as Stanford’s Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics, making an immediate impact following an accomplished career as a chief executive officer for multiple organizations. The Cardinal maintained an elite level of success under Donahoe, extending its NCAA title streak to 50 consecutive years while claiming five national championships overall in 2025-26.

An alumnus of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Donahoe arrived on The Farm following his tenure at NIKE, Inc., where he served as CEO from 2020-24 and on its board of directors beginning in 2013. Previously, Donahoe served in CEO roles at ServiceNow (2017-20), eBay (2008-15) and Bain & Company (1999-2005).

Stanford University sponsors 36 Olympic sports on campus and is renowned for its impact on Team USA. At the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Stanford totaled the most Team USA selections (37) and Team USA medals (36), reinforcing its status as a preeminent training ground for national team competition.

“I’m honored to serve in this capacity and look forward to contributing to the ongoing collaboration and strategic vision shared by leaders from peer institutions,” said Donahoe. “We are at a pivotal moment in collegiate athletics, and this role serves as an extension of the efforts already taking place on our campus to showcase the broad-based Olympic sports excellence that is core to our mission.”

With the addition of Donahoe, the 12-member council will be comprised of:

• ^Sydney Barta (Stanford University)
• Greg Byrne (University of Alabama)
• Jen Cohen (University of Southern California)
• ^Lauren Crandall (Wake Forest University)
• Bubba Cunningham (University of North Carolina/USOPC board representative)
• John Donahoe (Stanford University)
• Mark Harlan (University of Utah)
• Robin Harris (The Ivy League)
• ^Grace Latz (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• Rob Mullens (University of Oregon)
• Jamie Pollard (Iowa State University)
• ^Kendall Spencer (University of New Mexico)

^Denotes athlete representative

The USOPC CAC will convene its first meeting with the new leaders on its Sept. 2 meeting.

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The USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council launched in 2017 to help bridge the important connection between the collegiate and Olympic/Paralympic landscapes. With the majority of Team USA athletes competing collegiately during their athletics journeys, the council focuses on three primary areas: advocacy for sustainable, broad-based sport on campus, financial stability for broad-based sport and messaging the value of Olympic/Paralympic sport opportunities on campus. More information can be found at usopc.org/college.