Ross Bjork is in his second year as The Ohio State University’s Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director. With over 31 years of experience in collegiate athletics, Ross is the 9th athletic director at Ohio State.

Ross’ first full year in 2024-25 was extremely successful. The men’s athletics programs were the Capital One Cup winners, marking the first Ohio State men’s or women’s program to win the award, which is presented annually to the best Division I athletics programs. Ohio State athletics was awarded $250,000 from Capital One for student-athlete scholarships.

Overall, Ohio State finished eighth in the final LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Standings for the 2024-25 academic/athletic year. The football program made a remarkable run through the College Football Playoffs, winning its ninth national championship. In addition to the football program, the pistol, spirit and dance teams all claimed national titles. A total of seven teams won conference titles and six athletes were crowned individual national champions.

Ross also helped form the Buckeye Sports Group (BSG), a groundbreaking initiative designed to support, streamline and enhance Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for Ohio State student-athletes.

Ross arrived at Ohio State after serving as director of athletics at Texas A&M University, University of Mississippi and Western Kentucky University. At each stop he has always supported and equipped student-athletes with educational and athletic resources so they could reach their full potential.

As Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, Ross is a member of the University’s President’s Cabinet. Additionally, he served as the president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) for the 2024-25 athletic year and was on the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Experience Committee. He has served as part of numerous national organizations, including the NCAA Division I Working Group on Transfers and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, and as chair of the Southeastern Conference Awards Committee.

Ross and his wife, Sonya, have two sons: Payton is a sophomore at Youngstown State University and is a member of the football team; Paxton attends Upper Arlington High School.