Oberlin, Ohio – Oberlin College Delta Lodge Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard has announced he will be stepping down from his position to return to his alma mater as the Associate Director of Athletics for Development at Stanford University.
“I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to be the athletics director at Oberlin College over the last six years,” Karlgaard said. “I have made some tremendous relationships along the way and will greatly miss working with such wonderful people. Our family has truly grown to love Oberlin and I would like to thank everyone who has made our time here so special.”
Karlgaard, whose last day with the College is February 15, has helped restore the rich tradition of Oberlin athletics during his six-year tenure as athletics director. Since becoming interim director of athletics in 2005, Karlgaard has the led the program to unprecedented heights. Oberlin has improved its North Coast Athletic Conference All-Sports Trophy point total four of the past five years, including record totals in 2007, 2008, and 2010. Furthermore, 11 varsity sports have achieved their highest conference finish in school history.
In addition to guiding Oberlin's competitive improvements, Karlgaard has led the improvement of athletics facilities and raised record amounts of money for the department. Oberlin has invested $8 million in athletic facilities improvements over the last five years, with most of the funding provided through private gifts. He has effectively reached out to Oberlin's alumni base as by raising more than $500,000 through the Heisman Club and ushering in several major gifts for facility improvements.
In 2008 Karlgaard turned his attention to campus-wide health issues. Partnering with the Division of Student Life and under sponsorship from the Office of the President, Oberlin hosted a two-week initiative to engage faculty, staff, and students in the pursuit of health and wellness. The annual event, known as OB Fit, ensures continued focus from athletics on fostering a healthy culture and teaching lifetime sports.
Club sports have thrived through the partnership of athletics and student life. Karlgaard helped lead a 2008 task force charged with restructuring support for club sports. With a focus on safety, Karlgaard and Dean Linda Gates promoted access for these student-run teams to qualified medical personnel and safe modes of transportation. Oberlin now boasts one of the most robust and supported club sports programs among American liberal arts institutions.
“Joe has done an outstanding job with our athletics program,” Oberlin College President Marvin Krislov said. “He has improved the overall competitiveness of varsity athletics, overseen a significant upgrading in our facilities, strengthened club sports and intramurals, and revitalized our health and wellness activities. While we'll miss him, we appreciate all Joe has done and wish him and his family all the best at Stanford.”
President Krislov has announced that Associate Athletics Director
Natalie Winkelfoos and Head Track and Cross Country Coach
Ray Appenheimer will serve as Co-Interim Directors of Athletics following Karlgaard's departure.
A national search for Karlgaard's successor will begin immediately.
