The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota announced Monday that Penn State Deputy Director of Athletics Phil Esten has been named its director of athletics. Esten is a 1995 St. Thomas alumnus who played baseball for the NCAA Division III Tommies.
‘I’m excited that we are bringing a Tommie home to lead our athletics program,’ stated Julie Sullivan, president of St. Thomas in a press release. ‘I can’t tell you how important it is that Phil was a St. Thomas student-athlete and that he embraces the core principles of Division III athletics: a quality student-athlete experience, academic success and athletics as an integral part of the student-athlete educational experience. He took his and bachelor’s degree in corporate fitness-business from St. Thomas and used it to learn the business, operations and fundraising components of NCAA sports, while never losing sight of the student-athlete experience.’
Esten was hired at Penn State in 2014 having previously worked at the University of California, Berkley under Sandy Barbour. Esten was a visible figure at nearly every Penn State sporting event and was also one of the key speakers at Penn State’s facilities master plan project that announced tentative plans for Beaver Stadium renovations.
At St. Thomas, Esten will follow Steve Fritz who will retire in June after 27 years in the role, with a total of 52 years at the university. Frank Mach served as athletics director from 1968-1992. Esten will mark the third athletic director over that 50-year span.
According to the release, Esten will start at St. Thomas after the season concludes for Penn State football.
‘We’re grateful to Phil Esten for the incredible impact he’s had on Penn State, Intercollegiate Athletics, our students, and our community,’ Sandy Barbour, Penn State director of athletics said. ‘As a St. Thomas graduate and baseball student-athlete, Phil has a great passion and understanding of the mission of St. Thomas and the role that Athletics plays on campus and with alumni, students and fans. thrilled for Phil and his family for this opportunity at his alma mater. St. Thomas students, coaches and community will benefit greatly from his strong, determined and passionate leadership. The Penn State nation is grateful for his time with the Nittany Lions and wish he and Dani great success at St. Thomas.’
No timetable has been announced for the hiring of a replacement.
