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| Joe Karlgaard, Ph.D. |
Joe Karlgaard was named the Delta Lodge Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Oberlin College on April 7, 2006. Karlgaard had served as the interim director of athletics since August, 2005. “No finer opportunity exists for the development of excellent athletics, physical education, and recreation than the one we have at Oberlin College,” Karlgaard said. “The vision
has been set by Oberlin’s stakeholders, and all of the resources are in place. We now have the exciting task of executing a plan to fulfill this vision of excellence.”
Prior to his appointment as interim director of athletics, Karlgaard was the assistant director of athletics for external affairs and media relations. During his tenure at Oberlin, he has helped revitalize the department’s efforts to reconnect with its alumni base. He and the Heisman Club worked to triple the number of active members and raise more than $100,000 annually to enhance the daily operations of the athletics department. He has also taken on a leading role in the design of a new $2 million outdoor facility for lacrosse, soccer, and track, which was completed in the fall of 2007. “I am excited to work with the president, provost, and the Oberlin community as we build upon a solid foundation,” Karlgaard said. “The Department of Athletics and Physical Education will play a vital role in the bright future that lies ahead for Oberlin College.”
“Joe Karlgaard displays the leadership skills necessary for effective administration and brings great enthusiasm to this position,” Provost Alfred MacKay said. “I am certain he will continue to make great progress toward the College’s vision for a vibrant athletics and physical education department.”
Karlgaard came to Oberlin from the University of Minnesota, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in educational policy and administration. He spent three years as an assistant men’s cross country and track and field coach for the Gophers, helping guide the team to the 2003 Big Ten outdoor track and field title. He left coaching in 2003 to pursue an opportunity in the University of Minnesota athletics marketing office, working with the football program and the Golden Gopher Fund. He also served as an academic advisor in the University of Minnesota’s
College of Education and Human Development from 2002 to 2004.
As a member of the track and field and cross country staff at Stanford University from 1998 to 2000, Karlgaard managed all non-coaching aspects of the Cardinal’s combined men’s and women’s program. He organized team travel, served as a liaison with Nike, managed media relations, assisted with the direction of home meets, managed the budget, coordinated recruiting, and helped organize Stanford’s summer running camps. Karlgaard spent two seasons at Stanford, culminating in the 2000 NCAA Division I outdoor track and field championship for the Cardinal men.
Karlgaard’s involvement in athletics began in 1996 when he was hired as a weekend sports anchor and reporter for KFYR-TV in Bismarck, North Dakota. He polished his craft at the NBC affiliate for two years, covering local high school, college, and minor league professional sports. He graduated from Stanford University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He was a four-time letter winner in track and field for the Cardinal.
Karlgaard and his wife Jill live in Oberlin with their newborn son, Charlie.
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