Florida State University Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- President & CEO, Seminole Boosters
SPORT OVERSIGHT: Baseball
- Email:
Stephen Ponder is in his fourth year as President and CEO of Seminole Boosters, Inc., in 2025-26. As the leader of the primary fundraising organization for Florida State Athletics, Ponder's primary responsibility is to financially support Seminole Athletics through leadership, organization, and implementation of the annual fundraising program and major fundraising campaigns. Ponder also serves as the sport administrator for baseball.
Over the past three years, Ponder has overseen a variety of impactful initiatives. One of the most significant undertakings for Seminole Boosters and Florida State Athletics is the Doak Campbell Stadium Project, slated for completion at the beginning of the Fall 2025 football season. The primary objective of this project is to maintain Doak Campbell Stadium as one of the best venues in collegiate sports while also creating additional revenue streams that will help maintain Florida State's athletic competitiveness.
Under Ponder's leadership, the Bowden Society was created in Fall 2022. This exclusive society recognizes individuals who commit to capital projects of $50,000 or more, payable over five years. Through membership generosity and support, the Bowden Society enables Florida State Athletics to exponentially enhance the student-athlete experience. Additionally, Ponder continues to manage other initiatives, including Elevate Champions, the Dunlap Football Center, Custodes Lampadis, Real Estate, etc.
Before Florida State, Ponder most recently served as Deputy Athletics Director at Ole Miss in 2016-17 and Senior Executive Associate Athletics Director from 2012-16. While at Ole Miss, he led the ultra-successful Forward Together Campaign that surpassed its $150 million goal by $20 million.
He was also responsible for oversight and project management on a $100 million football facilities improvement project, a $95 million basketball facility, and a baseball and varsity sports facility.
Before Ole Miss, Ponder served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations at Arizona State. Under Ponder’s leadership, ASU enjoyed an impressive $18.5 million increase in annual athletics fundraising from $7.5 million in 2006 to $25 million in 2012.
A 1989 graduate of NC State, Ponder worked for the Wolfpack from 1991-2006, rising to Associate Athletic Director and Associate Executive Director of the Wolfpack Club. Among his many accomplishments was securing $55 million for the expansion of Carter-Finley Stadium and $65 million to build a new basketball venue (PNC Arena).
Most recently, Ponder was with Balch Sports, where he collaborated with high-level collegiate coaches and served as a consultant to intercollegiate athletic programs. Ponder and his wife, Sloane, have two sons, Stetson and Stratton.
For more information about the Seminole Boosters, please visit boosters.fsu.edu.
