Penn State alumnus Mark Parker, who has served as President and CEO of Nike since 2006, is being recommended to replace Phil Knight as chairman of the company, according to a release from Knight. Knight, co-founder and current chairman of the worldwide sports apparel provider, plans to step down from the role in 2016.

“I believe Mark is the best choice to succeed me,” Knight said in the release. “He has been an outstanding CEO for the past nine years, and has demonstrated time and again his love for this company and his clear vision for capturing the tremendous potential Nike has to innovate, inspire, and drive growth.”

Parker, who graduated in 1977 with a degree in political science, has been with Nike since 1979. While attending Penn State, Parker was a runner for the Nittany Lions on both the cross country and track teams. Originally hired to Nike as a shoe designer, Parker worked his way through the ranks to eventually be named President and CEO of the successful company.

Despite the influential recommendation from Knight, Parker will still have to maneuver the governance regulations in place for selecting someone as important as a new chairman. Though the current chairman believes Parker is the best choice for the position, Nike’s Board of Directors will have the final say when the new chairman is officially selected sometime in 2016.