Ball State announces Beth Goetz as new athletic director

MUNCIE, Ind. — Rooting for the Cardinals has always been second-nature to Beth Goetz. Growing up in St. Louis, all of her childhood memories involve legendary broadcaster Jack Buck.

So stepping in as Ball State athletic director and leading a department full of Cardinals already has a familiar feel to Goetz.

Goetz, who has spent time in the athletic departments of the University of Connecticut, University of Minnesota and Butler University, was introduced Monday afternoon, kick-starting the next chapter of Ball State athletics as outgoing athletic director Mark Sandy retires in June. Her first official day on the job is June 18.

“From the moment you start the process,” Goetz said, “you’re already down the road dreaming about the type of impact you might be able to have and the success that Ball State athletics can certainly continue to have and build on in the future.”

Goetz is the second female athletic director in Ball State's history. Andrea Seger was Ball State's athletic director from 1995-2002 after spending 12 years as the women's athletic director. Seger got the job when the school combined its men's and women's athletic departments.

The only other female athletic director in the Mid-American Conference is Western Michigan's Kathy Beauregard.

"There certainly aren’t too many across the country and even fewer at the FBS level," Goetz said. "But I just think it’s a great responsibility to have this opportunity and for young women to be able to say that they would like to maybe serve in this role as well."

Goetz has served as the chief operating officer of UConn’s athletic department since 2016. Prior to that, she spent three years at Minnesota, one of which was spent as the interim athletic director. She was the associate athletic director at Butler from 2008-13.

While Ball State may not have similar resources as a Big Ten or Big East school, how might Goetz’s prior experiences impact what she does at Ball State?

“I really think there are more similarities than differences. The thing everyone will notice right off the bat is the size of your budget, but what your student-athletes and coaches do on a day-to-day basis, no matter what institution, doesn’t change. It’s about them investing in the competitive experience and developing these young men and women.

“But I do think you draw from different opportunities you’ve had in the past and make connections to the place you are now. I’ve had a lot of opportunity to generate revenue in different ways, whether that is through ticket sales or fundraising. That’s certainly going to helpful here at Ball State. I think you draw from all of those different experiences as you move forward.”

Goetz’s first priority will just be to listen and learn. She has only met the coaches who were on the search committee, which was football coach Mike Neu and women’s volleyball coach Kelli Miller. Before deciding which direction to go, she wants a feel for the strengths of each program, and the challenges each department faces.

“The first thing really is just to spend a lot of time listening and getting to know the people that are involved in the program and what they’re passionate about,” Goetz said. “It’s going to take a long time to do that. There’s only so many things you can learn from looking at facts. You have to know the culture of a place and the feel of a place before you really look to see if you need to make any changes.”

Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns aimed to find someone who was forward-thinking, who would be able to anticipate where college athletics is heading, not where it is now.

"She will instill a culture of excellence in Ball State athletics that will infuse pride and passion in our students, our alumni and our fans as we embark on our second century,” Mearns said. “Beth also has been successful generating revenues for other universities, including boosting attendance at athletic events and raising philanthropic support. As a previous college athlete, coach and administrator, Beth understands the importance of leading others and how that will play a major role in enhancing competitive success for all our sports programs."

Goetz didn’t say that becoming an athletic director was always her goal. Rather, it just became a natural career progression after serving in a variety of capacities in successful athletic departments.

“It was always a part of a possible path. I just loved the business,”’ Goetz said. “I really wanted to impact the experience of student-athletes and learn all sides of what it takes to run a department. So if at some point in time there was going to be an opportunity where I felt I was a great fit and could really assist an institution, I would be prepared. So I’m thrilled to be in this position and be able to move forward with Ball State.”

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Ryan O’Gara is a sports features writer at the Star Press. Contact him at (765) 213-5829, rogara@muncie.gannett.com or @RyanOGara.