Oakland University Athletics

Steve Waterfield Introductory Press Conference

Steven C. Waterfield was appointed Director of Athletics on August 9, 2018, joining the Golden Grizzlies after serving as Executive Associate Athletic Director for the University of Nebraska.

Entering his seventh year at Oakland, Waterfield's leadership has driven impressive achievements, including 167 all-league academic honors, five regular-season championships, and 21 conference titles. Under his guidance, the university has made 22 combined appearances in NCAA individual and team competitions. Notably, Oakland has claimed the McCafferty Trophy, the Horizon League’s all-sports award, three out of the last six years, consistently finishing no lower than second place and leading in points before competition was halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Waterfield also played a key role in launching Oakland’s varsity esports program, making the university the first Division I institution in Michigan to do so.

In addition to leading the athletics department, he assumed oversight of the Golf and Learning Center and University Recreation and Well-Being in 2020. He currently serves as Chair of the Horizon League Council and has served or is currently serving on a number of university committees, including Reimagining OU, the Strategic Planning Leadership Team, and the Campus Master Plan Steering Committee.  

Waterfield joined the University of Nebraska Athletic Department in August of 2013 and initially oversaw athletic medicine, strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, Nebraska Athletics Performance Laboratory, data analytics, and strategic research. He also served as sport administrator for football, women's soccer, and men's and women's tennis. He most recently oversaw communications, creative and emerging media, the spirit squad, HuskerVision and licensing and branding. He also served as Nebraska's liaison to IMG, the Big Ten Network and Fanatics.

Prior to his time at Nebraska, Waterfield spent two years as a senior administrator at University of Miami. While in Coral Gables, Waterfield oversaw sports medicine, strategic operations, facilities and maintenance, capital projects and construction, along with the men's and women's basketball programs. Halfway through his tenure, Waterfield added strength and conditioning, and human resources to his duties in place of facilities and maintenance, and capital projects and construction. He also became football's direct sports administrator, in place of women's basketball.

Prior to his stint at Miami, Waterfield spent seven years at University of Wisconsin – Madison, serving under Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez as an Associate Athletics Director for Student Services. There, he oversaw compliance, academic services and sports medicine, while also serving as sport administrator for the men's and women's soccer and men's and women's swimming and diving programs.

Waterfield began his collegiate athletics career by serving five years as an Assistant Director of Compliance at The Ohio State University.
Waterfield holds a law degree, a master's in business administration and a master's in sports management from Ohio State and a bachelor's degree in political science from Kenyon College. He is a member of the Ohio bar and U.S. Federal District Court and worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Ohio Attorney General's office.

Waterfield and his wife, Jaime, have two sons, Davis and Austin, and two dogs, Bogey and Birdie. Jaime is a Michigan State University women's golf letterwinner and currently works at Softchoice as the Director of Microsoft Category. 

Comments from Athletic leaders Waterfield has worked with:

"I think the world of Steve.  A proven professional who will be an outstanding athletic director. His years of experience coupled with his genuine care for the student athlete will serve Oakland University well."  - Bill Moos, Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"I am more than excited for the future of Oakland University under the leadership of Steve Waterfield.  He is an extraordinary leader who cares genuinely about his staff, coaches and most importantly the quality of the student-athlete experience. Steve brings high integrity, intellect, work ethic and charisma.  He always overdelivered on every job he ever did and made our department and team better. I am confident he will do the same at Oakland. I wish Steve, Jaime and his boys all the best!"  - Heather Lyke, Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh

"Steve and I worked closely together for 2 years to help build a strong ACC basketball program. His understanding of how to best utilize and improve our resources was instrumental in us being able to win the 2013 ACC Championship. Steve is smart, knowledgeable and has a variety of professional experience that make him highly qualified and capable to be a successful Athletics Director and lead his own Athletic Department."  - Jim Larrañaga, University of Miami men's head basketball coach.