Joel Nielsen is a seasoned administrator with over 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, serving as a Director of Athletics for 20 years at three institutions. At Bricker Graydon, Joel will be advising clients needing guidance in athletic compliance, gender equity planning, revenue generation, strategic planning and anything associated in managing an athletic department. He has literally been in the shoes of his clients, so he is intimately familiar with the challenges, obstacles, and successes of university/college athletics departments.

In his diverse Director of Athletics career, Joel worked at higher education institutions such as Kent State University (NCAA Division I), The University of South Dakota (managed the reclassification from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I), Colorado College (18 programs at NCAA Division III and 2 programs at NCAA Division I). He has experience at both larger public institutions and smaller privates, including Wake Forest University. Needless to say, Bricker Graydon clients find Joel’s institutional knowledge and hands-on experience to be uniquely beneficial.

Education

Bachelor Of Science-Finance Minnesota State University (1990)

Master Of Arts, Sports Administration Minnesota State University (1986)

EdD-Higher Education (Inactive) Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Il

Professional Activities

LEAD1 Association (former Division 1A Athletic Director’s Association), former Board of Trustee

National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)

News

Speaking Engagements

Publications