UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– Penn State today announced the appointment of Joe Foley as senior associate athletic director for advancement. A former collegiate student-athlete, Foley brings a demonstrated record of major gift and annual giving success to the Nittany Lions.
At Penn State, Foley will play a critical role in Intercollegiate Athletics’ leadership, with a broad range of strategic and management responsibilities. He is charged with directing all aspects of fundraising and student-athlete alumni relations for Penn State Athletics, providing the vision and direction for all ICA advancement efforts. Foley will oversee major gift fundraising and the Nittany Lion Club, which secures annual support from more than 22,000 donors each year, and is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the nation.
Foley is joining the Nittany Lions’ staff after serving at the University of Maryland as deputy athletic director for development the past two years. Foley will begin his duties at Penn State on Oct. 3.
“We are thrilled to have Joe joining the Penn State family,” said Sandy Barbour, Penn State director of athletics. “Joe has a demonstrated record of building relationships and strategically identifying resources that will assist in creating conditions for success for our student-athletes. He will be a great fit for Penn State and our community.”
"It is so exciting and a great honor to join the team at Penn State,” Foley said. “I would like to thank Sandy Barbour, Phil Esten and Dave Lieb for this opportunity and I look forward to working with them and everyone in Penn State Athletics in service to the men and women who compete for the Nittany Lions."
During Foley’s tenure at Maryland he provided leadership for all aspects of Maryland Athletics’ fundraising initiatives including the Cole Fieldhouse renovation. Serving as the executive director of the Terrapin Club Scholarship Fund, his team’s accomplishments included securing over 50 new major gift commitments of $50,000 or more, while growing the athletics annual fund by 38 percent over the past two years. Additionally, membership to the Terrapin Club’s Directors Circle, donors who give $25,000 per year, increased by approximately 70 percent during that time.
Prior to his tenure at Maryland, Foley spent 4½ years on the athletic development staff at Boston College. During his time at BC, he oversaw all major giving activities which contributed to more than 160 new commitments of at least $100,000, including 16 new seven-figure commitments.
“We’re very excited to have Joe join the Intercollegiate Athletics advancement team,” stated David Lieb, senior associate vice president for development. “Given the University’s aspirations for the future of Penn State Athletics, the experiences Joe brings with him will complement a strong fundraising and varsity athletics alumni relations program and help us to better serve our 31 varsity programs.”
From Worcester, Massachusetts, Foley also has served at Ohio University and the University of Richmond in development, marketing, ticket operations and sales capacities.
Foley was a four-year letterwinner on the Northeastern University track and field team, helping the Huskies win five America East Conference titles. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and earned a master’s of business administration and a master’s of sport administration from Ohio University.
Foley relocates to State College with his wife, Emily, and infant son, Thomas.