Robert Philippi joined the Conference USA staff in July 2006 as Assistant Commissioner for Compliance & Academics. Philippi is primarily responsible for compliance, academic and legislative service to the league members as well as providing governance services. He serves as the liaison to the Compliance Coordinators Committee, the Faculty Athletics Representative Committee and the Academic Coordinators Committee.

Prior to C-USA Philippi worked for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas where he held the titles of Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services from 2004-06, NCAA Compliance Specialist from 2002-04, Director of NCAA Compliance and Student Services from 1996-99 and Athletic Academic Advisor from 1995-96. As Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services/NCAA Compliance Specialist, he directed a staff that increased the graduation rate by 24% and posted the two highest graduation rates in the history of the institution.

Between his two stints at UNLV, Philippi worked on the NCAA national office staff as a Membership Services Representative from 1999-2002. There he provided the NCAA membership interpretations of NCAA rules and regulations, conducted rules education programs for national organizations and conference offices, coordinated athletics certification visits, conducted NCAA compliance reviews and coordinated the NCAA conference visitation program, while serving as staff liaison for the Division I Committee on Financial Aid, the Faculty Athletics Representative Association (FARA) and served as team leader for the processing of NCAA initial-eligibility waivers.

Philippi holds two degrees and is currently a doctoral student working towards his Ph.D. in Higher Education. His degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Master of Arts in Physical Education - Sports Administration from Minnesota State University-Mankato.

A native of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Philippi is an avid runner participating in various competitive events including the San Diego Half Marathon, America's Finest City Half Marathon, Red Rock Canyon Half Marathon, La Jolla 5K, Camp Pendleton Mud Run and the Pacific Beach Ocean Swim/Run.