LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Mario Moccia (MO'-cha) has been appointed New Mexico State University's new Director of Athletics. Moccia, an NM State graduate, has served as Director of Athletics at Southern Illinois University since 2006. He will take over NM State's Athletics Department Jan. 5, 2015.
Moccia graduated from New Mexico State in 1989. He was captain of the Aggie baseball team and went on to play in the Detroit Tigers minor league system. Moccia was inducted into the NM State Hall of Fame in 1998.
Moccia is First Vice President of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association and serves on its Executive Committee. He also was named the Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year in 2013.
The Southern Illinois Salukis were successful across the board during Moccia's tenure, winning conference championships in football, men's and women's basketball, women's golf, men's and women's cross country, men's tennis, softball, men's and women's track, and women's swimming and diving.
While at Southern Illinois University, Moccia played an important role in a major fundraising/capital improvement project to build a new football stadium, a new athletic support building and renovate the university's basketball arena. He also negotiated media rights, footwear and apparel contracts.
Moccia was previously the Associate Athletic Director for External Operations and then Senior Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Missouri from 1998-2006. He also worked as the Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at Texas State University from 1997-1998 and Director of Sales/Lobo Club assistant director at the University of New Mexico from 1993-1997.
Moccia currently serves on the NCAA Division I Championships/Sports Management Cabinet. He is the FCS representative for the NCAA's Administration Committee and serves as liaison to Men's Basketball Committee.