CLEVELAND — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video in the player above originally aired in a previous story
Indians owner Paul Dolan will become a member of the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees later this spring, the school announced Friday.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Dolan to the board for a nine-year term beginning June 1. The 62-year-old will presumably fill the vacancy soon to be left by David Gunning, who currently serves as the board's chairman.
"Cleveland State University is a vital, integral part of our community – helping to drive growth, develop our workforce and prepare tomorrow’s leaders," Dolan said in a statement. "I’m excited to join the board and thank Governor DeWine for this opportunity."
Raised in Chardon, Dolan graduated from Gilmour Academy in the 1970s before attending New York's St. Lawrence University and later Notre Dame Law School. He worked at his father Larry's firm until 2000, when the family bought the Indians from Richard E. Jacobs for $323 million.
Paul began as the team's vice president and general counsel before being promoted to president in 2004 and later CEO in 2011. In 2013, he officially became the team's "controlling owner" after his father decided to step back from day-to-day operations, and in the eight full seasons since the Tribe has made the postseason five times and claimed an American League pennant in 2016. Despite the success, the family has also been criticized by some fans due to financial concerns, notably the club's 2021 payroll of $48.9 million that stands as the lowest in baseball.
Dolan has been involved in various philanthropic efforts over the years, such as the United Way of Greater Cleveland (where he serves as board chairman) and VeloSano Bike to Cure. He also sits on the boards of the Cleveland Clinic, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Playhouse Square Foundation, Unify Labs and Evergreen Cooperatives.
"Paul Dolan has been an outstanding partner for Cleveland State, our city and our region," CSU President Harlan Sands wrote. "I'm looking forward to being able to draw upon his expertise, experience and passion for our community."