Missouri State University will officially introduce Patrick Ransdell as its new director of intercollegiate athletics at a press conference on August 30.
Friday’s press conference will be held at 10 a.m. in the Plaster Student Union Theater on the Springfield campus. The event is open to the public. On-site parking and metered parking will be available during the announcement.
Ransdell, who becomes MSU’s 11th athletic director, has served as assistant athletic director for external relations at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, since December 2021.
His first contract with Missouri State is for five years.
“Patrick is the right person to lead Missouri State University athletics as we prepare to join Conference USA next year,” said Missouri State President Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams. “His experience and leadership style will help Missouri State reach the next level of competition.”
History of athletics
Before overseeing external operations and leading major fundraising initiatives at Appalachian State, Ransdell spent five years at the University of Central Florida, most recently serving as Executive Associate AD for Orlando University. After arriving at UCF in 2016, he initially served as Assistant AD for Administration before being promoted to Executive Associate AD for Revenue Generation in the summer of 2017 and assuming the role of UCF’s Chief Revenue Officer for the department.
During her time at Appalachian State, the Mountaineers posted record attendance and led the nation in percentage of stadium capacity while also setting program records for total attendance. The school also posted record numbers in donor participation, ticket revenue and annual fund growth during Ransdell’s tenure.
Likewise, during his time at UCF, the Knights achieved record ticket revenues and corporate sales while also enjoying national success on the field.
From 2013 to 2015, Ransdell served as assistant director of development at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, before being promoted to assistant director of development in February 2015.
He has also held leadership positions at UNC-Wilmington and Coastal Carolina after beginning his career as an athletic administrator at the University of Mississippi. In total, he has 20 years of distinguished leadership experience at six different NCAA Division I universities.
“My family and I are extremely excited to join the Missouri State family and serve as your next athletic director,” Ransdell said. “I want to thank President Williams and the Missouri State Board of Governors for their trust and confidence in my abilities to lead our athletic department to new heights. I also thank the search committee for their dedicated efforts throughout the application process.”
“I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes, coaches, staff, passionate alumni and enthusiastic fans. Given Missouri State’s history of success, solid foundation and growth opportunities for both the university and the surrounding Springfield community, I couldn’t imagine a more ideal place for the Ransdell family. We are ready and excited to embark on this journey together. Go Bears!”
Personal story
Ransdell was a four-year student-athlete on the Western Kentucky baseball team, earning his bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in psychology from WKU in 2002. He later completed two graduate programs at Ohio University, including his MBA in 2004 and his master’s in sports administration in 2005.
Ransdell and his wife Brooke have two children, Walker and Collins.
Ad search
The process to replace former Missouri State athletic director Kyle Moats began on June 12 with an announcement from Williams naming Vice President of University Advancement Brent Dunn as chair of the search committee. Williams also named Senior Associate Director of Athletics Casey Hunt as interim director of athletics at that time.
According to Dunn, the committee reviewed 54 applicants and began interviewing the first of three finalists on Aug. 12. Ransdell was on campus on Aug. 16 and 17 for a comprehensive series of interviews.
Ransdell is expected to begin his new position in early September. The Missouri State Board of Governors approved the hiring and associated contract terms during a special meeting today, August 28.
