Ball State Director of Athletics Beth Goetz has been named the 2022 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Nike Executive of the Year, as chosen by Women Leaders in College Sports August 16. Goetz is the second Ball State representative to earn the award, as former Ball State Director of Athletics Andi Seger recieved the honor in 2002.
Since her arrival at Ball State in May 2018, the Cardinals have captured 10 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships, including seven during the 2021-22 athletics season, the most since 1999-2000. Not only that, Goetz has also guided Ball State to top-five finishes in the Reese and Jacoby Trophy standings, which honors the top men's and women's athletics programs in the Mid-American Conference, respectively, with the Cardinals placing third in the Reese Trophy standings and fifth in the Jacoby Trophy standings.
Named one of Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ)'s 2021 Women of Influence, Goetz has led the Cardinals to unprecendented numbers in the classroom as well. For the 2020-21 season, Ball State Athletics earned its highest-ever Academic Progress Rate (APR) with a score of 992, besting the previous mark of 991 accomplished following the 2018-19 year. Under Goetz's guidance, Ball State also had a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 90 percent in back-to-back years, a record high for the Cardinals and 23 points higher from the numbers released in 2013-14.
Goetz has also set in motion a five-year strategic plan titled, Onward, created prior to 2019. The plan aims to foster an environment that breeds academic success, impactful student-athlete experience, competitive excellence, community engagement, a sense of spirit & tradition, a Cardinal Culture and financial responsibility while embracing Ball State's values of Beneficence.
As well as her duties as Ball State University Director of Athletics, Goetz has been selected for national leadership duties. July 29, 2021, the NCAA announced that Goetz was named vice chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee for the 2021-22 academic year and will take over as chair in 2022-23.
The Women Leaders in College Sports Nike Executive of the Year award is presented annually to Women Leaders in College Sports members for significant contributions made as a senior-level administrator of intercollegiate athletics. Members in each NCAA division [Division I, FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA/NJCAA or Conference/Organization] are chosen and below is a list of all 2022 honorees.
2022 Women Leaders in College Sports Nike Executives of the Year
NCAA Division I FBS: Beth Goetz, Director of Athletics, Ball State University
NCAA Division I FCS: Dr. Nicki Moore, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Colgate University
NCAA Division I: Rachelle Paul, Director of Athletics, Saint Peter's University
NCAA Division II: Dr. Bren Stevens, Vice President and Director of Athletics, University of Charleston
NCAA Division III: Dr. Angel Mason, Director of Athletics, Berry College
Association/Organization: Julie Roe Lach, Commissioner, Horizon League
NAIA/NJCAA/CC: Tonia Walker, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Bluefield University
Nell Jackson: Tiffany D. Tucker, Deputy Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
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