A native of Waukegan, Illinois, Rick Bay had an impressive athletic career. In high school, Bay was a three-time state wrestling champion, an all-state quarterback, an All-­Chicago area baseball player and was named the Illinois High School "Athlete of the Year" as a senior. He attended the University of Michigan where he was a two-time Big Ten Champion. After graduation, Bay coached for his Alma Mater and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1974 after his squad placed second in the NCAA Championships. Bay left his coaching position to work for the University of Michigan Alumni Association, where he was later appointed executive director. Under his talents the Michigan Alumni Association was named the most outstanding organization of its kind in 1978. Following his service to the Michigan Alumni Association, Bay served as Athletic Director and facilitated the transformation of athletic departments at the University of Oregon, Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota. He worked for Major League Baseball when he served as Vice President and CEO of the New York Yankees and later President and CEO of the Cleveland Indians. Under Bay's leadership, the Cleveland Indians were named Major League Baseball's "Organization of the Year" for the first time in franchise history. After serving as the Director of Athletics at San Diego State University, where Bay helped to fund a baseball stadium, softball stadium and athletic center, he reactivated his consulting career as a private consultant.