Oberlin College Athletics

Throughout his tenure as the school's 14th president, Marvin Krislov has been one of the greatest supporters of athletics and wellness in Oberlin College history.
 
Since becoming president in the summer of 2007, Krislov has been a key advocate for the ongoing revitalization of Oberlin varsity, club, and intramural sports.
 
He initiated and nurtured a relationship with the Knowlton Foundation of Cincinnati, resulting in an $8 million dollar gift – the largest single gift the College has received to date from a non-Oberlin donor.
 
That money paved the way for the construction of the Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex, which opened in the fall of 2014. The Knowlton Complex is Oberlin's first all-weather, multi-sport, lighted stadium. It includes new locker room facilities for men's and women's teams and the Alumni Club and social space. The facility has been used for a variety of events, competitions, and gatherings by the campus community and by local and regional school systems and sports clubs. The relationship with the Knowlton Foundation has also produced $1.5 million in academic scholarships at Oberlin.
 
A fitness enthusiast, Krislov has emphasized health and wellness throughout his tenure by supporting a variety of programs for students, faculty, and staff. From his first week on campus, he has led by example, working out almost daily at Phillips Gymnasium. In 2008, he personally contributed $50,000 to pay for new cardio and weight machines for the gym and weight room.

His presidency has coincided with a broad resurgence in Oberlin's athletics. He has helped make athletic trainers regularly available to our club sport and intramural athletes. He supported the creation of locker facilities for transgender athletes, students, faculty, and staff. Krislov has assisted in recruiting and retaining scholar-athletes and regularly attends a wide variety of games and competitions. He also has helped numerous Yeomen and Yeowomen go on to graduate or professional school or launch successful careers.
 
The current President of the North Coast Athletic Conference, Krislov has worked closely on the NCAC Diversity Committee, and together they helped create the Branch Rickey Mentor Program. It allows women and minorities interested in a career in athletics to shadow experienced NCAC administrators and coaches. In 2012, the program received the inaugural Award for Diversity and Inclusion from the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association.
 
Krislov, who is resigning from the College in June of 2017, has made contributions to health and wellness at Oberlin that will benefit the College, the City of Oberlin, and northeast Ohio for generations to come.