August 8, 2005—Joe Karlgaard has been named the interim Delta Lodge Director of Athletics at Oberlin College, Oberlin Provost Alfred MacKay announced today. Karlgaard served the past year at Oberlin as assistant director of athletics for external affairs and media relations. "I am delighted with the opportunity to assist Oberlin College with the fulfillment of its athletics goals and mission," said Karlgaard. "I will serve this institution with tremendous enthusiasm, and I look forward to working with our coaches, scholar-athletes, and administration over the coming year."

Karlgaard replaces Vin Lananna, who accepted a position as associate athletics director/director of track and field and cross country at the University of Oregon. "I am confident that Joe Karlgaard will continue the momentum established during Vin Lananna's directorship, and keep Oberlin athletics moving forward in this time of transition," said MacKay.

Lananna, who served as assistant head coach for Team USA's middle-distance and distance runners in the 2004 Olympics, will continue to be involved with Oberlin as special assistant to the president for athletics. "We are very pleased that Vin Lananna will assist Oberlin College during this transition period," said MacKay. "We appreciate his eagerness to assist Oberlin in continuing to make great progress toward the College's vision for a vibrant athletics department." A national search for a permanent director of athletics will begin shortly.

As assistant director of athletics, Karlgaard helped revitalize the department's efforts to reconnect with its alumni base. The Heisman Club worked with Karlgaard to triple the number of active members and raise more than $100,000 to enhance the daily operations of the department of athletics and physical education.

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 football 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 his alma mater, 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.