Where Are They Now: Diane Dietz
12/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2011
By Bruce Madej
When Michigan played Ohio State last month in football in what many consider 'The Greatest Rivalry in College Sports,' a former Michigan All-American was sitting back rooting for a great game, not necessarily a Wolverine win.
Diane Dietz, the first woman to be inducted into the Michigan Hall of Honor and the only women's basketball player in U-M history to score more than 2,000 points, is now the Chief Communications Officer for the Big Ten Conference.
So how does one change their allegiance?
"You start with the love you have for your own university, and everyone knows what that feels like," said Dietz. "Then you multiply it by 12. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with all of our institutions."
The Michigan fan base might not understand how that can be accomplished, but you have an array of individuals who have left their alma mater to go to great success at another school. In fact, Wolverine fans have to look no further then how Michigan State grad Carol Hutchins came to Michigan to develop a nationally recognized softball powerhouse, placing the former Spartan into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame wearing Maize and Blue.
For Dietz, this is even easier.
"I really don't think about individual wins and losses, or who's where in the standings," said Dietz when talking about the position. "I spend most of my time thinking about reform issues, expansion issues, the media, our brand, and internal and external communications."
"It seems that we are truly at a crossroads as to whether or not the traditional model of intercollegiate athletics is sustainable. I think that the issues are both interesting and challenging. It was a remarkable time to join the conference."
In today's world of new media and economic worries, the job might seem too daunting.
"The complexities are actually what make the position so enjoyable," adds Dietz. "With great challenge comes great opportunity. And I don't think that I could enjoy the people with whom I work more -- on campus, and at the conference office."
When Dietz graduated from U-M in 1982, she knew her competitive sports career was basically over. Her work in the classroom provided her with the impetus to create a career in media policies and concerns that eventually brought her back to sports.
Initially she started her professional career as a lawyer working for law firms Paskin, Nagi & Baxter P.C. in Troy, Mich., and Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C., in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
After leaving the private practice of law, Dietz worked for many years in the cable television industry. Continental Cablevision first hired her as Vice President of Corporate and Legal Affairs for its Midwest Region. In 1996, she joined Comcast Corporation as the Vice President of Corporate Affairs for the Midwest Division. In 2005, Dietz was promoted to Comcast's corporate headquarters and relocated to Philadelphia taking on the position of Senior Director of Public Affairs for the entire corporation and Senior Vice President of The Comcast Foundation.
After a short stint with the Cranbrook Educational Community in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Dietz was hired by the Big Ten Conference in March, 2010.
"I met Mark Silverman (President of the Big Ten Network), and he introduced me to Commissioner (Jim) Delany," said Dietz. "Both Mark and Jim inspired me immediately. They have so much energy. I loved hearing about their current projects and about their vision for the future."
Dietz continued, "If I look back at my career thus far, I see three chapters, a private practice legal career, a Fortune 100 corporate career, and a career in intercollegiate athletics administration. All three required an ability to implement processes that would allow people to communicate effectively and to work together to accomplish goals. There were really far more similarities than differences."
Dietz gave up basketball just after law school. Her post-career workout routine includes free weights, cardio classes and rollerblading. "I converted to low-impact workouts a very long time ago and developed a real passion for rollerblading," said Dietz. "I would do it every day if I lived in a warm weather climate."
Her four brothers (Jerry, Dan, Mike and Kevin), two sisters (Suzanne and Maria), Mom (Fran) and Dad (Jerry, Sr.) are all athletic and remain a super close family.
"They all live in the Bloomfield Hills area," said Dietz. "All 15 of my nieces and nephews went to the same grade school (St. Hugo's) that my brothers and sisters and I went to. Our friends refer to it as 'Dietzville' since everyone is within a stone's throw of my parent's house."
Even though Dietz is honored to have worn the Block 'M,' to have received the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford Scholar-Athlete Award and to be named to the Academic All-America Hall of Fame for her work at U-M, her focus is the Big Ten and all of its sports now.
Just a few weeks ago, she was a part of the first Big Ten Championship football game in Indianapolis.
"When I look at old photos at the conference office, I often wish that I could be transported back to that moment in time so that I could meet the greats that were part of the Big Ten foundation," said Dietz. "Then I think about a time 100 years from now when someone else might look at a photo of the first Big Ten Championship football game, and I can't help but wonder if they'll feel as connected to all of it as I do. I am thrilled to be part of it."
