VERMILLION, S.D. - Joel Nielsen of Colorado Springs, Colo., has been named Director of Athletics at The University of South Dakota, according to an announcement Tuesday (Nov. 4) by University President James W. Abbott.

Nielsen, who has served as Director of Athletics at Colorado College since April 2001, will begin his duties in early December. His appointment is subject to approval of the South Dakota Board of Regents.

"It's clear that Joel Nielsen is the right choice for Athletic Director at South Dakota," Abbott said. "He brings professionalism and a track record of success to South Dakota. Joel is exceptionally qualified in athletic administration, including an established record in fundraising, management and communications. He has proven leadership that will be important as our athletic department moves ahead."

Nielsen is ready to begin his duties at USD.

"I want to thank President Abbott, Search Committee Chair Julie Greenfield and Interim Athletic Director Greg Redlin for running a thorough process and showing confidence in me," Nielsen said. "I also want to thank Greg Redlin for overseeing the athletic department during this interim period. I am pleased to be returning to the North Central Conference where I played and coached earlier in my career. It is my goal to move this program forward. The alumni, coaches and staff take great pride in Coyote Athletics, and I intend on carrying on that tradition."

At Colorado College, Nielsen led a 20-sport athletic program, including sponsorship of 18 programs at the Division III level and two sports at Division I. During his tenure, he coordinated a facilities priority plan resulting in the reconstruction of the Washburn Field Complex, including the addition of an artificial playing surface and a new running track. Nielsen supervised and developed a season ticket, corporate sponsorship and donor group plasn that resulted in a significant increase in revenues. In addition, he developed a college licensing program, supervised a long-range development plan, and renegotiated the college's media contracts.

"The University of South Dakota has selected an individual who is well-prepared to take the athletics program forward. From the search committee's perspective, Joel is the right choice," said Julie Greenfield, chair of the Athletic Director Search Committee.

From 1993 to 2001, Nielsen was associate athletic director at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he was in charge of the administration of the athletic department's external relations. At Wake Forest, he developed the department's marketing programs and special events, increasing football season ticket sales by 55 percent and men's basketball by 52 percent. He administered the university's licensing program, negotiating the department's full-service football and apparel contract with Nike. He also assisted the development office in planning, coordinating and soliciting for the capital campaign and annual fund.

Before Wake Forest, Nielsen served as a sports marketing director for the Hyatt Corporation in Atlanta, Ga., from 1992 to 1993. With the Hyatt Corporation, he was responsible for the identification and solicitation of professional, collegiate and Olympic sports business in the Southeast. Nielsen was also an assistant athletic director at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., from 1991-92. At Illinois State, he coordinated external constituent solicitation and organized, directed and implemented a comprehensive marketing plan of a 16-sport athletic program. He also served as an athletic development assistant at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., 1990-1991.

A native of Latimer, Iowa, Nielsen is currently a doctoral candidate (Leadership and Educational Policy Studies) at Northern Illinois. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business finance in 1986 and a master of science degree in sports administration in June 1990, both from Minnesota State, Mankato. Nielsen played football and also served as an assistant football coach (1989-90) at Minnesota State, Mankato.

He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters - Kelly, 6; Kasey, 6; and Kory, 4.

South Dakota Athletic Directors Since 1926 L.B. Allison, 1923-28 S.B. Backman, 1928-35 Carl "Rube" Hoy, 1935-56 Ralph "Boot" Stewart, 1957-61 John Roning, 1961 - 1971 Carl Miller, 1971-76 Beanie Cooper, 1976-81 Bobby Thompson, 1981-82 Jack Doyle, 1983 - 1998 (Doyle was acting AD in 1982) Kelly Higgins, 1998-2003 (Greg Redlin, Interim AD) Joel Nielsen, 2003-

What Others Are Saying about Joel Nielsen?

Ron Wellman - Athletic Director, Wake Forest University "Joel (Nielsen) is a very friendly person and relates very well with people and will do so at South Dakota. With his experience, he understands every part of an intercollegiate athletic program from the various sports to administrative functions. With that broad view he knows what it takes to succeed. I believe he will energize the athletic department."

Morris Kurtz - Athletic Director, St. Cloud State University "Joel Nielsen will be credit to The University of South Dakota and the North Central Conference. He works very hard and I believe he is an excellent addition to South Dakota."

Roger Thomas - Athletic Director, University of North Dakota "I think the world of Joel (Nielsen). I think he will do a great job at South Dakota. We have coached against each other and I look forward to working with him in the North Central Conference. He is someone that has vision and perspective that will be important in the coming years."