UW-Green Bay Names Josh Moon Athletics Director

GREEN BAY, Wis. —Josh Moon has been named the 10th Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Chancellor Michael Alexander announced on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

Moon, an athletics administrator with more than 18 years in collegiate athletics, has spent the last nine years as the Director of Athletics at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota and will begin his new role on August 1.

A press conference to introduce Moon to the Green Bay community will be held on Monday, July 12, 2021 at 11 a.m. on Carol’s Court at the Kress Events Center.

As Green Bay’s Director of Athletics, Moon will oversee a department offering 14 NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports, serving more than 200 student-athletes. He will report directly to Chancellor Alexander and serve on the University Cabinet.

Josh Moon named athletics director at UW-Green Bay

“The UW-Green Bay Athletic Department has tremendous potential to expand, deepen its connection to our region, and support the mission of the University,” said Alexander. “Josh Moon is the person to help us get there. His proven record of support of student athletes, building community connections, growth, and his relentless work ethic make him the right person at the right time to lead us forward.”

With a focus on academic, athletic and personal/social excellence, Moon has delivered impressive results in the classroom, the community, on the field and on the court since joining Northern State University—a NCAA Division II institution sponsoring 15 athletic programs serving 400 student-athletes—in 2012. During the past 10 semesters, NSU student-athletes achieved an average semester GPA of at least 3.30.

As a senior leader and key fundraiser for the University, Moon was a member of the core team that generated more than $62 million in private gifts for the University in three years, allowing for the construction of the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a regional sports complex including on-campus football and softball stadiums and an athletic and recreation fields project. Moon helped cultivate and secure two of the largest private gifts in university history.

During Moon’s nine plus years at the helm, the Wolves’ program has seen increased championship activity including finishing as the NCAA Division II National runner-up in men’s basketball in 2018, four consecutive conference championships in men’s basketball, five consecutive qualifications for the NCAA Tournament for women’s basketball, and back-to back conference championships in volleyball.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to join the awesome team at Green Bay. I’d like to thank Chancellor Alexander for this opportunity—his vision and passion for the future of this campus is very exciting and Phoenix athletics plays an important role in the success of not only the University, but the entire region,” said Moon. “My family and I are thrilled to be returning home to the great state of Wisconsin and an area that we love. I can’t wait to get started and engage with the campus community, as well as the Green Bay and Fox Valley regions.”

Moon steps in to lead a program that is poised to rise. Green Bay student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, achieving a combined department-wide GPA of 3.57 in Spring 2020. On the court and field, Green Bay Athletics consistently saw postseason league and NCAA tournament action in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s soccer, volleyball and Nordic ski within the last three years.

The hiring of men’s basketball coach Will Ryan in 2020 and facility enhancements to the Kress Events Center, completion of the King Park softball complex and the opening of the Aldo Santaga Soccer Stadium have also bolstered the program, bringing new energy from student-athletes, fans and donors.

Prior to arriving at Northern State University, Moon spent three years as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL). At Western Illinois, Moon served as the athletic department’s number two administrator and assisted in overall management and operation of a 20-sport, NCAA Division I athletic program serving 435 student athletes. During his tenure, Leatherneck football reached the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2010, men’s soccer qualified for the NCAA Division I soccer tournament twice, and men’s basketball qualified for Division I post-season competition for the first time in 35 years. Moon has also spent time in athletic leadership, development, academic and compliance roles at Central Michigan University and for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Moon attended UW-La Crosse where he earned his bachelor’s degrees in Exercise and Sport Science and Business Administration. He earned his Master’s in Administration with a concentration on Sports Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a native of Wautoma, Wisconsin and will be joined by his wife Andria, a Mauston native, and sons Brady and Kellen.

What they are saying about Josh…

“Josh has had a profound impact on the campus of Northern State University. From unprecedented facility upgrades to significant student-athlete scholarship enhancements, he has been a key part of Northern’s success. I congratulate Josh on this next chapter of his career, Green Bay is gaining a tremendous leader.”
Dr. Neal Schnoor, President, Northern State University

“I have known Josh Moon for nearly a decade now.  As an AD, his goal has always been to match athletic accomplishments with the overall quality of the student experience. He has proven to do just that, at the very highest levels, over and over again.  I am confident that he’ll excel in this high-quality work as he leads the Athletics program at Wisconsin-Green Bay.  It will be a real pleasure for me to see the Phoenix teams compete here in Greater Detroit!”
Dr. James Smith, President, Eastern Michigan University

“This is an exceptional hire for Wisconsin-Green Bay Athletics! Josh Moon is an incredibly talented and skilled professional who focuses on the important components that contribute to the very best experience possible for student athletes to grow, excel and graduate. He is also a fantastic leader that coaches, administrators, student athletes and all affiliated with Phoenix Athletics will enjoy partnering with to grow the program — Josh is a difference maker! “
Dave Heeke, Director of Athletics, University of Arizona

“I have had the pleasure to know Josh the last several years and have seen him grow into a bright, talented and energetic athletic administrator. His impact on Northern State Athletics in terms of facility upgrades and scholarships for the student-athletes has been impressive. Green Bay is fortunate to have him.”
Gene Taylor, Director of Athletics, Kansas State University

“Josh has been a tremendous asset to Northern State University and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. In his time at Northern State, the university athletic facility transformation has been outstanding. His ability to work with university and community partners to see the projects through in a short window of time is impressive. Josh’s willingness to serve on conference and national committees during his time at NSU shows his passion for giving for the greater good. I am thrilled for Josh and his family and wish them the best of luck.”
Erin Lind, Commissioner, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

“Josh has been terrific to work with. He understands how to support and grow his teams. He has grown our department in every way imaginable. His energy, vision and relationships with his coaches have been invaluable to Northern State. I will personally miss working with him but I am glad that Josh and his family get the chance to return home to Wisconsin. I know he is the perfect fit to lead Wisconsin-Green Bay and will lead the Phoenix to an era of growth and championships.”
Saul Phillips, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Northern State University

“Wisconsin-Green Bay made a fantastic choice in my good friend, Josh Moon. Josh is a proven leader with great character and the highest level of integrity. Josh led the athletic department at NSU to new heights and I look forward to watching how Green Bay athletics prospers under his leadership.”
Marcus Blossom, Director of Athletics, College of the Holy Cross

“Josh is a very aggressive, driven Athletic Director that will be a tremendous asset for Green Bay. He makes decisive decisions and is exceptional at getting the community engaged with the direction of the Athletic Department and University. His wife, Andria, is also a great asset and will quickly be involved in University life. Congratulations to the Green Bay community for gaining such an exceptional duo.”
Zach Flakus, President/CEO, Northern State University Foundation

“Josh is a fantastic choice for the AD position at Green Bay. He brings an innovative approach to all he does and is truly passionate about the student-athlete experience. Josh is a tremendous fundraiser, leader and person. His experience coupled with his passion and vision will surely bring success and excitement to the institution and community for years to come.”
Kyle Brennan, Director of Athletics, Illinois State University

About the Green Bay Phoenix
The Green Bay Phoenix athletics program sponsors 14 NCAA Division I intercollegiate sport programs and over 200 student-athletes, competing in the Horizon League and the Central Collegiate Ski Association. The Phoenix has made NCAA tournament appearances in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s tennis, men’s soccer, volleyball and softball in recent years. In the classroom, Phoenix student athletes annually rank among the Horizon League’s best, highlighted by 43-straight semesters of a department wide 3.0 GPA or better. The department has received national GPA recognition for volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s golf and women’s cross country in the last few years.

About the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Established in 1965, UW-Green Bay is a public institution serving 8,970 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students and 79,604 continuing education enrollees each year across all campus locations. We educate students from pre-college through retirement and offer 200+ degrees, programs and certificates. UW-Green Bay graduates are resilient, inclusive, sustaining and engaged members of their communities, ready to rise to fearlessly face challenges, solve problems and embrace diverse ideas and people. With four campus locations, the University welcomes students from every corner of the world. In 2020, UW-Green Bay was the fastest growing UW school in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

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