Tressel to Join Baldwin Wallace’s Board of Trustees

BEREA, Ohio – One of Baldwin Wallace University’s most prominent graduates is joining the university’s board of trustees.

Jim Tressel, Class of 1975, will offer his higher education knowledge to support his alma mater.

“We are proud and happy to welcome the wise counsel of one of BW’s most accomplished alumni,” said Lee Thomas, Baldwin Wallace board chair. “We’re grateful for the wealth of experience Jim brings to his alma mater as we begin to write the next chapter in BW’s 179-year history.” 

Tressel served as Youngstown State University president for nine years and coached the national championship football teams at YSU and Ohio State University.

“BW has a diverse and talented board,” Thomas said. “But Jim represents a rare opportunity to add the voice of an experienced university president, which is especially valuable as we navigate a challenging environment for all of higher education.”  

Tressel retired in 2023 after nearly a decade as YSU president after transitioning from coaching to higher education leadership roles. At YSU, he is credited with improving graduation rates, quadrupling the size of the honors college, raising $150 million in support, building strong business ties and transforming campus housing.

His earlier coaching career started as a graduate assistant at the University of Akron, where he earned his master’s degree. Eventually, he rose to national prominence in 15 seasons as head football coach at YSU, where he dominated Division I-AA football, and 10 years as head coach at The Ohio State University, where he led the Buckeyes to a national championship and multiple Big Ten titles. 

The National Football Foundation’s Hall of Fame biography describes Tressel as “one of the greatest coaches in the history of the state of Ohio,” bringing five national titles to the state and becoming the only head coach to win a national title at both levels of Division I college football.” 

As a BW student, Tressel was a quarterback for the Yellow Jacket football team under his father, College Football Hall of Fame coach Lee Tressel, playing on a home field that would later be renamed for his father. His mom, Eloise, led cheers in the stands. Tressel graduated from BW in 1975 with a degree in education. 

“Thanks to BW – especially the faculty, staff and my classmates – who provided me the opportunity for a great education,” Tressel said. “Due to the exceptional preparation at BW, I was blessed to enjoy a 47-year career in higher education. As I accept the honor of serving on the BW board, I am certain that my mom and dad would be proud that I seek to serve their beloved Yellow Jackets.” 

While coaching brought him fame, following family values in his career roles brought him satisfaction. 

In a story on his family’s legacy at BW, Tressel recalled, “Both my mom and dad were all about education first and athletics second. They were all about helping young people grow and establish themselves in productive careers. … It followed naturally that in watching the personal satisfaction that it brought to them, that the same things became the things we would prize, too.” 

Pictured at top: From left are Jim Tressel; Ellen Zegarra, vice president for philanthropy at Baldwin Wallace; and Steve Thompson, Baldwin Wallace athletics director.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.