Kyle Moats

Position: Director of Athletics

Missouri State University's search for its new director of athletics concluded May 28, 2009, with the introduction of Kyle Moats as the University's 10th A.D. Moats came to the University after serving as associate athletics director for national marketing at the University of Louisville since 2005.  

Moats began his duties at Missouri State in July 2009, replacing Bill Rowe, who retired after spending 27 years as Missouri State's top athletics administrator and more than a half century at the university as a student, coach and administrator.  

In a busy first year on the job, Moats wasted little time in laying groundwork for the future of Missouri State Athletics. From day one he emphasized the importance of fostering a strategic vision in the current landscape of intercollegiate athletics by involving all corners of the campus community in developing a long-range plan for the MSU Athletics. Moats played a key role in Missouri State's new partnership with Nelligan Sports Marketing (NSM), announced in February 2010. The agreement will result in the outsourcing of the departments' marketing and corporate sales operations while maximizing revenue potential for MSU Athletics. Additionally, Moats was instrumental in MSU's negotiations for a new multi-year television contract with KY3, Inc.  

Year two for Moats in Springfield saw Missouri State finish second in the 2010-11 MVC All-Sports Trophy standings--its best finish in five years. Conference titles by men's basketball, women's swimming and softball, as well as postseason tournament berths for both MSU basketball programs highighted the Bears' year.

Prior to his arrival in Springfield, Moats spent four years as associate athletics director for national marketing at Louisville. In that capacity, he coordinated the Cardinals' efforts in national awareness, marketing, branding and group ticket sales. He also worked closely with NSM, which manages the exclusive marketing rights for Cardinal Athletics. Moats oversaw the Louisville band and spirit squads as the liaison with student government and student spirit groups.  

Before joining the Louisville staff, Moats served as senior associate athletic director for two years at Marquette University, where he oversaw the Golden Eagles' Blue and Gold Fund, media relations, ticket operations, special events, licensing, radio, television, marketing and promotions and sponsorships with NSM.  

He also worked 14 years in the University of Kentucky athletics department, including his last three there as associate athletics director for marketing (2000-02). Moats joined the UK staff as a graduate assistant in the athletics office in 1989, and in 1991 was promoted to coordinator of promotions and special events. He became the Wildcats' director of marketing, promotions and licensing in 1993 before being named assistant athletics director for marketing in 1996. He served as tournament manager for the 1993 NCAA Golf Championships and the 1996 and 1998 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament events in Lexington.  

A native of Dixon, Ill., Moats is a 1988 graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a bachelor's degree in physical education. While at SIUE, Moats was a three-year letterwinner in golf and was a student assistant basketball coach for the Cougars from 1985-1988. He earned a master's degree in sports management from the University of Kentucky in 2001.  

Moats and his wife, Leeann, have two children, Kirk and Lauren.