Bruggeman Named New AD at Missouri Southern

He's been associate AD at Northern Arizona for four years

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Missouri Southern State University has hired Jared Brueggeman, associate director of athletics at Northern Arizona University, as the next Director of Athletics for the institution, it was announced Thursday (June 11).

He'll succeed Sallie Beard, who is retiring at the end of the month after 37 years at Southern -- the last seven as AD. Bruggeman will start his duties at Southern on July 6.

Bruggeman has served in his present position for the past four years, serving as NAU's compliance director, as well as overseeing the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs as weel as the equipment room. He was also in charge of overall game management and facilities for the department.

Prior to NAU, Bruggeman served as an assistant director of athletics for compliance and student life at his alma mater, the University of North Dakota, for four years. He also oversaw facilities and game management, as well as marketing and ticketing.

He was the student-athlete academic coordinator as well as director of the student-athlete advisory committee and during his time as assistant AD. North Dakota was awarded seven NCAA postgraduate scholarships, two NCAA Division II Degree Completion Awards and the NCAA Walter Byers Post Graduate Scholarship.

Bruggeman also served as an assistant track and field and cross country coach at UND from 1998-01. He assisted in the daily operations of both men's and women's programs and played a major role in the recruitment of student-athletes. Bruggeman was also a volunteer assistant volleyball coach. A three-time graduate of UND, Bruggeman was an All-America performer in the indoor 800 meters.

Prior to his career in collegiate athletics, Bruggeman was a high school science teacher. He taught at Stephen Hempstead High School in Dubuque, Iowa, and Red River High School in Grand Forks, N.D. Bruggeman also served as track and field and cross country coach at both schools.

Bruggeman earned a bachelor of science in natural science and a bachelor of science in education with an emphasis in physics from North Dakota in 1994. He went on to earn a master's of education in educational leadership from UND, and is working on his doctorate in educational leadership.

Bruggeman and his wife, Maria, who serves as an associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator at NAU, have three children -- sons Micah (6) and Logan (5), and daughter Reese (1).