4 November 2008

The United States Sports Academy has appointed International Baseball Federation President Dr. Harvey Schiller to its Board of Visitors.

In pursuing its mission, from time to time the Academy relies on external boards and committees deemed necessary and appropriate by the president. The mission of the board of visitors is to review trends in sport and higher education, inspire new ideas, and establish benchmarks that will advance the mission of the Academy.

Issues such as globalization of sports, salary escalation in professional sports, the role of media in sports, America's standing in the world and the current economic situation could all be the subjects of advice from Schiller, who currently serves as Chairman of the Board and CEO for the GlobalOptions Group and previously served as Chairman of Assante U.S., a leading provider of financial and life management products and services to many in the sports and entertainment industry.

Prior to joining Assante, Schiller served as Chairman and CEO of YankeeNets, an integrated sports-based media company with ownership of the New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils. Until December 1999, Dr. Schiller served as vice president of sports programming for the Turner Broadcasting System, president of Turner Sports and president and governor of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Schiller, also a former executive director of the United States Olympic Committee, is leading the effort to restore baseball and softball to the Olympic program. Both sports were dropped from the program in 2005 and were played for the last time, at least for a while, during the 2008 games in Beijing. Schiller hopes to persuade the International Olympic Committee to return these sports for the 2016 games.

Dr. Schiller served as Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference from 1986 to 1990 and as a member of the NCAA Executive Committee. He was a pilot in the United States Air Force and served in combat during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of brigadier general. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed Dr. Schiller as Professor at the United States Air Force Academy. He is a recipient of several military awards, including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Schiller earned his bachelor's degree from The Citadel and his master's and doctorate from The University of Michigan. He also holds honorary doctorates from The Citadel and Northern Michigan University.

Dr. Schiller is active in a variety of national organizations and corporate boards. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed him as vice chair of the New York City Host Committee for the 2004 Republican national Convention. He was a member of the Independent Commission of the United States Olympic Committee, created by the Senate Commerce Committee, and was recently appointed a member of the Commission on Presidential Scholars.