Tim Gleason 1955-2026

Born in 1955 in Pittsburgh, Tim grew up in Youngstown, where he graduated from Chaney High School in 1973. He was a member of the track team and vice president of the senior class. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sports administration from St. Thomas University in 1979 and a Master of Arts degree in counseling education from Cleveland State University in 1986. He was St. Thomas’ alumnus of the year in 1983.

Tim became the first full-time commissioner of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in 1991. Previously, he had been promotions and licensing coordinator for the NCAA (1980-83) and assistant executive director for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) from 1983 to 1991.

While at NACDA, Tim was the managing editor of athletics administration. His editorial regarding President Reagan’s tax plan made headlines in the New York Times in 1985. Tim led the OAC into national and international limelight throughout his tenure. He orchestrated the first collegiate football game ever played on German soil when OAC members Heidelberg University and Otterbein University tied 7-7 in Frankfort in September 1992. Tim was the president of the NCAA Division III Commissioners Association (2004-06), where he fathered the $2 million NCAA Conference Grant Program. He received the organization’s Meritorious Service Award for his efforts.

In 1989, Tim founded the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation, which he presided over for 21 years. The foundation raised $300,000 in scholarship monies for high school and college scholar football players. He received the Foundation’s Presidential Leadership Award in 1998 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2007. Tim received the Asa Bushnell Commissioners Award from the All-American Football Foundation in 2001. Tim was a member of the NCAA Division III Management Council from 2004 to 2009. He chaired the prestigious NCAA Honors Committee and was a member of the Championships Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Infractions Appeals Committee, Legislation Committee and Division III Football Committee. Tim was an active member of NACDA throughout his career. He served as the association’s secretary and parliamentarian and was a member of the executive committee. Tim was on NACDA’s Games Committee for both the Kickoff Classic and the Pigskin Classic from 1991 to 1995.

A passionate advocate for sportsmanship, Tim developed Operation GoodSport, a nationally acclaimed program that received the Jostens Community Service Award in 2004. Tim was selected as a Sports Ethics Fellow by the Institute for International Sport in 2005.

Tim was a wonderful husband, dad and papa. He was frequently seen around Mineral Ridge in his yellow golf cart with a couple grandchildren by his side.

A dedicated member of his community, Tim was elected to the Weathersfield Board of Education in 2015, where he served until the time of his death. He was the “voice” of the Mineral Ridge Rams boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, announcing their games since 2012. He also volunteered to help with other sporting events and was the director of the Mineral Ridge Community Pantry. In 2025, Tim was inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame.

Upon retirement from a 42-year career in college athletics in 2021, Tim was invited by the Cleveland Indians to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.

Also, upon retirement, he became a substitute school teacher, a volleyball and softball official, and a correspondent for the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator.

Tim is survived by his wife, Sherry Gleason of Mineral Ridge; three daughters, Shannon (Andy) Poole of Dublin, Bethany (Matthew) Glidewell of Mineral Ridge and Rosie (Tommy) Rebraca of Mineral Ridge. He is also survived by his brother, Bill Gleason of Phoenix, Arizona, and six grandchildren, Ella Poole, Ethan Poole, Noah Glidewell, Nora Glidewell, T.J. Rebraca and Hallie Rose Rebraca.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Rosemary Gleason, and two sisters, Suzanne Shadonix and Carole Gleason.

Calling hours will be 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 2026, in the Mineral Ridge High School auditorium. Calling hours will also be from 10 until 11:45 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge, prior to the funeral service.

The funeral service will take place at noon at First Presbyterian Church.

A Mass will be offered for the repose of his soul at St. Christine Roman Catholic Church at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mineral Ridge Scholarship Fund (1334 Seaborn St., Mineral Ridge, OH 44440), where a Community Spirit Award will be named in Tim’s memory and given annually to a high school senior from Mineral Ridge who best exhibits dedication and spirit to the Weathersfield community.

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