Heath Schroyer’s stock continues to rise on the national level.

Thursday the NCAA announced that the McNeese State Athletic Director has been named to a pair of national committees.

Schroyer, who has transformed the McNeese athletic department after COVID and the hurricanes of 2020, has been named to the Division I Council and Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee.

The spots give McNeese and the Southland Conference a voice in decisions and the direction of the future of college sports. They also give Schroyer the highest national profile on any McNeese A.D.

“It’s an honor to be selected to serve on the D1 Council and the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee,” Schroyer said. “It’s a true honor for me to be a part of this amazing organization and represent McNeese and Southwest Louisiana nationally.

“I’m extremely excited to learn from some of the best in this profession, and I’m truly humbled by this opportunity.”

Schroyer becomes the Southland representative on the Council, responsible for the division’s day-to-day operations. Its 40 members include representatives from each conference plus two student-athletes, two faculty athletics representatives and four conference commissioners.

He had to be nominated by his conference peers to be considered for the post.

According to the NCAA, the Oversight Committee is designed to ensure that appropriate oversight of men’s basketball is maintained, to enhance the development and public perception of the sport and make recommendations related to regular-season and postseason men’s basketball.

The committee will prioritize enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience (academically and athletically), and in doing so, promote student-athletes’ personal growth and leadership development.

“It is great for Heath himself and McNeese overall,” said Cowboy head men’s basketball coach Will Wade. “It makes sense, Heath is a basketball guy.

“For him to be on the national stage shows that when you make the investment it pays off. For McNeese, it is good to have a seat at the table.”

Since taking over the Athletic Director position at McNeese in the summer of 2020, the former men’s basketball coach kept the Cowboy program afloat during some tough times. He has led the post-storms rebuild of facilities and changed the business model.

He and Southland Commissioner Chris Grant helped save the league after five teams left in June of 2021. Now the league is back with 10 football teams and 12 full members with future expansion plans in the works.

“Heath giving us a spot on the national stage is big for our conference,” said Grant. “He has proven to be a leader in our A.D. room and has shown he has not only the best interest of McNeese on his mind but also the conference.

Schroyer will be a part of helping decide the future course of college athletics, including NIL deals and the transfer portal.

“In where college athletics and basketball is today and where it is going, I understand what’s at stake,” said Schroyer. “College athletics has been a huge part of my life and I take this as a tremendous responsibility and opportunity I do not take it lightly. I don’t want to let those who nominated me down.”