Sonoma State University

A Message from the President — Appointment of Interim Director of Athletics

Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:46pm

Dear Campus Community,

As Sonoma State’s Fiscal Feasibility Team continues to explore the possibility of reinstating NCAA Division II athletics, I am pleased to announce that a critical appointment has been made as part of this effort.

Joan McDermott, who has served as athletic director at four universities, was appointed SSU interim director of athletics effective April 15. Joan, who retired from NCAA Division I USF in 2022 after six years as athletics director there, helped produce four USF teams that reached their first NCAA regional appearances. During her tenure, men’s basketball also qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 24 years.

She also shepherded Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) athletics to national prominence from 1998 to 2015, and was twice named NCAA Division II Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Joan, who got her start in athletics management as a volleyball coach, led the transformation of MSU Roadrunner sports into a nationally recognized NCAA program that:

  • Won four NCAA II National Championships – Men’s Basketball (2000, 2002) and Women’s Soccer (2004,2006).
  • Produced two NCAA Division II Individual National Champions; three Division II National Players of the Year; two Division II National Academic Players of the Year; 57 NCAA postseason appearances in 14 different sports; and reached the NCAA Division II Softball World Series in 2010 in just the third year of the program.
  • Established programs in Men’s and Women’s Cross Country (2007), Women’s Softball (2008), Men’s and Women’s Track (2009), and Women’s Golf (2010).

She also assisted in the planning, implementation, and oversight of a new outdoor athletic complex for tennis, soccer, baseball, and softball. She cultivated relationships with and secured financial support from alumni, leading civic and business individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations, increasing fundraising thirtyfold, including $1.5 million for the athletic complex.

A news release about the appointment is available here.

Her immediate focus at Sonoma State will be working closely with our athletics Fiscal Feasibility Team as it considers possible options for restoring Division II athletics in a financially sustainable manner.

As I have mentioned previously, I believe athletics are an important part of the university experience, for students and prospective students, the campus community, and the greater community that supports Sonoma State. Sports serve as a “front porch” where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can gather and unite behind a common cause: rooting for the home team. This is a belief that Joan strongly shares, and I will quote her here: “I believe athletics is vital to SSU because, when managed effectively, it strengthens the campus community and supports the university's mission by driving enrollment and fostering student growth.”

Please join me in welcoming Joan McDermott and thanking the Fiscal Feasibility Team members for their continuing efforts.