Jo-Ann Nester Named USD Director of Athletics

Jo-Ann Nester Named USD Director of Athletics
Jo-Ann Nester Elevated To Director of Athletics at San Diego

Sept. 25, 2003

(San Diego, CA) Jo-Ann Nester has been promoted to Director of Athletics at the University of San Diego, it was announced today by Bob Pastoor, Vice President for Student Affairs. Nester, who is in her second year as Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator, will begin in her new position immediately and will be in charge of and oversee all the daily operations of the Torero athletic department that includes sixteen NCAA Division I intercollegiate programs.

Since Tom Iannacone's retirement announcement on July 14, 2003, Nester was involved with responsibilites carried out by the former AD, including representing USD at fund-raising events, Vice President's Cabinet meetings, and supervision of two other Associate Athletic Directors and oversight for their areas. The University will now undertake a search for someone to fill the newly created position of Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for Athletics. This position will directly report to the Vice President of Student Affairs and will have responsibilites involved with budgeting, fund raising, the sports of men's and women's basketball, and certain NCAA-related issues.

"We are extremely pleased to announce Jo-Ann Nester as USD's Director of Athletics," stated Bob Pastoor. "Her years of experience as an athletic administrator have prepared her well for this position. She clearly understands her role with this department and within the mission of the university."

Regarding the newly created position of Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for Athletics, Pastoor added, "Jo-Ann will directly report to the V.P. for Student Affairs for Athletics. It creates two strong leadership positions within the department, and the integrity of the department increases with the delineation of the responsibility. We're not losing anything, we're gaining something."

In her role this past year at USD, Nester had direct supervisory responsibility for nine varsity sports programs including budget preparation and oversight, supervision of all head and assistant coaches, scheduling, travel and program evaluation. Additionally, she was involved with fundraising for women's sports programs; she had direct supervisory responsibility for the areas of Compliance, Academic Support, CHAMPS Life Skills, oversight of Student Athletic Council, New Athlete Orientation program and the Faculty Team Advisor Program; she assisted in the monitoring of gender equity; was the SWA Liaison to the West Coast Conference and NCAA; event management responsibilites for three teams; and was the department liaison for Admissions, Drug and Alcohol Education, Dining Services, Housing and Work Study.

"I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to be named the Director of Athletics at the University of San Diego," stated Jo-Ann Nester. "I can honestly tell you that this appointment has been the goal of my career. To be an Athletic Director at a NCAA Division I, academically rigorous institution is what I have strived to be. I look forward to working together with our outstanding coaches and staff and moving this program forward. We'll continue to focus on our objectives together, work hard and have fun achieving those objectives."

Nester came to USD from Dartmouth College where she held the position of Associate Director of Athletics for nine years. Her duties included oversight of compliance, student services, promotions and marketing, and several sports. Prior to her appointment at Dartmouth College, she was the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana between 1984-93. In addition, she has a coaching background at the high school and college levels, and has served on several committees within the NCAA, ECAC and Ivy League.

Her educational background includes a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education from West Chester State College (1971); a Master of Science degree from West Chester (1976); an Ed.D Doctor of Education from Temple University (1985); and a degree from the Executive Program/Sports Management Institute at the University of Notre Dame (1992).