Ohio State Associate Athletic Director for Communications Jerry Emig will retire in 2026

COLUMBUS — Jerry Emig has been working in communications at Ohio State for 23 years. He’s currently listed as the Athletic Director, Communications for the Buckeyes, working as a Sports Information Director for the football program.

The 2025 football season will be his final year. He’s retiring from that post effective March 1, 2026.

Emig, who will work his 23rd year at Ohio State and 33rd year in the sports information/communications field, will retire after working with the football program for 15 seasons. He has held department-wide oversight for seven years now.

Emig is a graduate of Murray State University. He earned his master’s degree from Ohio State and has also worked at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and Temple University. But he has made a massive impact on the Ohio State athletics staff.

Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork released a statement on Emig’s retirement announcement:

“As the leader of our communications team, Jerry has been a consistent and passionate advocate for our student-athletes, ensuring their stories are shared with authenticity and pride,” said Bjork. “His dedication to preserving and promoting the history of Buckeye athletics is truly commendable.

“Beyond his professional contributions, Jerry has been a trusted advisor, a creative force, and a source of positivity and humor. His presence will be deeply missed, but we’re excited for him as he prepares to enjoy a well-earned retirement with his family.”

Janine Oman, the Senior Deputy Director and Senior Women’s Administrator, will also retire in 2026. Her retirement is effective June 30, 2026.

According to Ohio State Athletics release:

Oman has dedicated nearly 30 years to Ohio State Athletics, beginning her journey as an assistant athletic trainer. Over the years, she rose to co-head athletic trainer and eventually took on the role of Senior Deputy Athletic Director. Along the way, she has overseen sport performance, compliance and SASSO, served as Senior Woman Administrator, worked as the sport administrator for men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s ice hockey and rowing, and taken on countless responsibilities – all with unwavering dedication.

Oman has served multiple terms on NCAA men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball and women’s ice hockey sports committees, and has chaired the men’s volleyball committee and is the current chair of the women’s ice hockey committee. She is a 1985 graduate of Ohio State University and has a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina, where she also worked for nine years.