By Bob Katzen
CHARLIE RETURNS – Former Bay State Gov. Charlie Baker spoke at the UMass Club last week about his work as president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the organization that regulates student athletics at some 1,100 schools in the United States, and one in Canada. Baker began his duties at the NCAA in March 2023 following his decision not to run for a third term as governor.
While the speech and Q&A session focused on the NCAA, Baker was asked several times about his possible return to politics. Here are some of his responses:
“If someone told me, literally, in October of ’22, rolling into the end of my term… you’re going to be president of the NCAA, I would have said, ‘yeah right.’ So, I never rule anything out.”
“I’m not old enough to run for president, I’m only turning 68 this year.”
“I’m not here to talk about [who I am voting for in the presidential race].”
“I’m here to talk about college sports and the NCAA, and that’s why I’m here. I’m not here to talk about other stuff.”
“I think we live in really challenging times, and it’s important [for] really good people to step up [and consider running for elective office].”