Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary Doctor of Letters degree at the graduation ceremony of Montclair State University on Wednesday, May 25 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
"Don Garber’s personal and professional accomplishments make him a very worthy candidate for this recognition," Montclair State President Susan A. Cole said in an April 29 press release announcing the news. "Our region has felt the positive economic and societal effects of the advancements made by our Major League Soccer clubs, and Don’s vision has been at the heart of those developments. I am pleased that Montclair State is able to recognize his impact on the fabric of New Jersey with this honor."
Since becoming MLS Commissioner in 1999, Garber has overseen the league’s expansion from 10 teams to 23 (including future MLS teams in Minnesota, Atlanta and Los Angeles) and secured long-term broadcast agreements with ESPN, FOX Sports and Univision.
A longtime resident of Montclair, N.J., Garber has garnered numerous industry awards and recognitions, including a listing among the most influential people in American sports by Time magazine and Bloomberg Business Week, and a ranking for 10 consecutive years (2006-2016) as one of SportsBusiness Journal’s 50 Most Influential People in Sports. Earlier this month, he was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
"I am honored to receive this very special recognition from Montclair State University," Garber said. "As a Montclair resident for more than 20 years, I have witnessed the tremendous growth of the University and the positive impact it is having on many young people in New Jersey. I am pleased to accept this honor from an institution that is truly committed to providing life-changing educational opportunities for so many students."
