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‘He has a heart for making the world better’: FC Cincinnati CEO to give spring commencement address

<p>Jeff Berding's first time attending a Miami commencement will be at his address in May, despite graduating from here in the '90s.</p>

Jeff Berding's first time attending a Miami commencement will be at his address in May, despite graduating from here in the '90s.

FC Cincinnati CEO Jeff Berding never thought he’d work in sports. 

Berding, who graduated from Miami in 1991 with majors in political science, diplomacy and foreign affairs and speech communication, dreamt of going to law school and having a career in politics. But, due to a scheduling conflict, Berding missed orientation and wasn’t able to start law school at the University of Cincinnati. 

So, he drove across town to Xavier University and enrolled in its MBA program. From there, Berding went to work for the Cincinnati Bengals for 20 years. 

“But, my kids really loved soccer,” he said, “So, I wrote a business plan to create FC Cincinnati.” 

Berding will be giving this year’s spring commencement address. In addition to founding Cincinnati's third professional sports team, he’s held a variety of different roles throughout the community.

In addition to serving as co-chair of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Berding served three terms on the Cincinnati City Council and founded Build Cincinnati, ​​a group that created the charter amendment for evolving Cincinnati’s city government into a stronger mayoral system.

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“People have introduced me at speaking engagements as Cincinnati’s biggest dreamer,” he said. “The reason that becomes a fun introduction is because not only do I dream it, but I make it happen. I’m hoping to give that level of belief and confidence to the graduates. They can do the same.” 

In a statement to The Miami Student, President Gregory Crawford wrote that he is excited for graduates to hear from Berding. 

“[Berding] is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian who has worked tirelessly to support his community,” Crawford wrote. “FC Cincinnati is a part of the fabric of the city, and [he] helped build a strong and loyal fan base in a short time.” 

Berding was the first in his family to go to college. He grew up with nine brothers and sisters in the Westwood neighborhood. 

Photo by Provided by Jeff Berding | The Miami Student
Jeff Berding studied political science, diplomacy and foreign affairs and speech communication, intending to enter a life of politics.

“I was paying my own way,” Berding said, “so I applied to be a resident assistant. There, I really started to find my leadership voice.” 

One such experience, Berding said, was when then-Governor Richard Celeste slept in his Collins Hall dorm room. 

“[He] did these university days, and in 1987, he had a Miami Day,” Berding said. “He would bring his cabinet to campus and meet with students, and he slept in my dorm room. After that, he helped get me involved in a couple different things.”

Following his time as a residence assistant, Berding served in a variety of different roles, including executive vice-president of the student senate and president of the Ohio Student Association in Columbus. 

“We’re talking about 13 public, four-year institutions,” he said. “I was very involved in that and became quite comfortable as a leader.” 

Carolyn Pione Micheli was a close friend of Berding during his time at Miami. 

“He has a heart for doing good and making the world better,” Micheli said. “Whether it’s with politics or businesses or sports, he’s really trying to build pride for the people of our region.” 

Micheli, who graduated from Miami in 1991 with majors in history and English literature, said Berding has always been driven, and she isn’t surprised by his success. 

“He was intense as he is now; that really hasn’t changed,” she said. “He’s incredibly interested in making an impact for the greater good.” 

Berding said he still found time to have some fun while on campus. As a sophomore, Berding rushed the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Given its close proximity, Berding and his fraternity brothers spent lots of time at Skipper’s, directly across the street from the chapter house. 

“Skipper’s was a huge part of my Miami experience,” Berding said. “I always walk over when I’m in Oxford. I pop in, say ‘hi’ to the owners and make sure to get some cheese fries or a gyro.”

 

When Berding gives the commencement speech on May 17, it will be his first time attending a Miami graduation. 

“I’m currently O for two,” Berding said. “I missed my graduation and when my daughter graduated, she had a [COVID-19] ceremony. It’s an enormous honor to come back in this capacity.”

In his speech, Berding said he hopes to inspire a sense of gratitude. 

“I want to encourage them to have gratitude,” he said. “Gratitude to their families who helped give them this opportunity, their friends who helped them get through it and their professors, who set them up for a lifetime of being.” 


reieram@miamioh.edu

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