FC Cincinnati President and co-CEO to serve as Miami’s commencement speaker
Jeff Berding ’91 also spent more than 19 years as executive with the Cincinnati Bengals
•
Published
Jeff Berding, President and co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, will serve as commencement speaker for Miami University's spring commencement ceremony.
FC Cincinnati President and co-CEO to serve as Miami’s commencement speaker
•
Published
One of the driving forces behind bringing professional soccer to Cincinnati will deliver Miami University’s 2025 spring commencement address.
Jeff Berding ’91, President and co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, will speak to Miami’s Class of 2025 during the 186th spring commencement on May 17 at Yager Stadium.
Berding earned his Political Science degree from Miami before graduating with a master’s degree in Business Administration from Xavier University. Berding spent more than 19 years as an executive with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he led the sales and public affairs efforts for the NFL franchise.
In 2015, Berding and Carl H. Lindner III co-founded FC Cincinnati. Part of Berding’s motivation was to give his three children a hometown team they could root for in the sport they were most passionate about – something Berding himself experienced as a childhood fan of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds.
“I am very honored,” Berding said of being asked to give this year’s commencement address. “The motto of Love and Honor is very real in my life. If you feel gratitude, you also feel an obligation to try to give back to those who follow you and support the great opportunities that you were provided as a student.”
While at Miami, Berding served as a resident assistant for Collins Hall. His sophomore year, Berding joined the university’s Associated Student Government when he was elected as vice president of residence life and then executive vice president.
“That was a transformative experience for me,” Berding said. “My two years of student government experience were very meaningful to me. I found my leadership voice at Miami.”
A native of Cincinnati born and raised in Westwood, Berding has held a variety of leadership roles in his hometown, including being elected to three at-large terms on the Cincinnati City Council. He also serves as president of FC Cincinnati Foundation; co-chair of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee; emeritus chair of Visit Cincy; and as a trustee for the Cincinnati Art Museum, St. Xavier High School, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Xavier University.
FC Cincinnati joined the ranks of Major League Soccer in 2019 and is now in its seventh season at the highest level of professional soccer in the United States. The club won the league’s 2023 Supporters’ Shield, an annual award given to the team with the best regular-season record.
“We are thrilled to have Jeff Berding as our 2025 spring commencement speaker,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “Jeff is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian who has worked tirelessly to support his community. FC Cincinnati is a part of the fabric of the city, and Jeff helped build a strong and loyal fanbase in a short time. I am eager for our graduates to hear from Jeff about his experiences.”
Jeff Berding ’91, President and co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, will speak to Miami’s Class of 2025 during the 186th spring commencement on May 17 at Yager Stadium.
Berding earned his Political Science degree from Miami before graduating with a master’s degree in Business Administration from Xavier University. Berding spent more than 19 years as an executive with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he led the sales and public affairs efforts for the NFL franchise.
In 2015, Berding and Carl H. Lindner III co-founded FC Cincinnati. Part of Berding’s motivation was to give his three children a hometown team they could root for in the sport they were most passionate about – something Berding himself experienced as a childhood fan of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds.
“I am very honored,” Berding said of being asked to give this year’s commencement address. “The motto of Love and Honor is very real in my life. If you feel gratitude, you also feel an obligation to try to give back to those who follow you and support the great opportunities that you were provided as a student.”
While at Miami, Berding served as a resident assistant for Collins Hall. His sophomore year, Berding joined the university’s Associated Student Government when he was elected as vice president of residence life and then executive vice president.
“That was a transformative experience for me,” Berding said. “My two years of student government experience were very meaningful to me. I found my leadership voice at Miami.”
A native of Cincinnati born and raised in Westwood, Berding has held a variety of leadership roles in his hometown, including being elected to three at-large terms on the Cincinnati City Council. He also serves as president of FC Cincinnati Foundation; co-chair of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee; emeritus chair of Visit Cincy; and as a trustee for the Cincinnati Art Museum, St. Xavier High School, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Xavier University.
FC Cincinnati joined the ranks of Major League Soccer in 2019 and is now in its seventh season at the highest level of professional soccer in the United States. The club won the league’s 2023 Supporters’ Shield, an annual award given to the team with the best regular-season record.
“We are thrilled to have Jeff Berding as our 2025 spring commencement speaker,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “Jeff is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian who has worked tirelessly to support his community. FC Cincinnati is a part of the fabric of the city, and Jeff helped build a strong and loyal fanbase in a short time. I am eager for our graduates to hear from Jeff about his experiences.”
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about Miami University's spring commencement? Visit the website for more information.
