Kyle Moats likes to win. As director of athletics for Missouri State University since 2009, Moats uses that drive to motivate in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community.
The 48-year-old boils down his life’s philosophy to a trio of factors – pride, passion and a sense of urgency.
“It’s important to take pride in what you do. When you put on the Bear, it means something,” he says. “You need to be passionate about who you are.
“You also need to have a sense of urgency. Do we want to do something? Then do it. ... If we swing and miss, we swing again.”
After stints as associate athletic director at the University of Louisville and 14 years at the University of Kentucky, Moats joined MSU at a tumultuous time for Bears athletics. He had to cut 20 percent of the department’s budget in his first year.
“It was tough. I was the new guy. I was still getting to know people and now I was taking away their funding,” he says, of the $800,000 budget reduction in 2009.
During his second year, Moats cut another $300,000, bringing the two-year total to about $1.1 million.
The Dixon, Ill., native is also in charge of department hiring and firing, including often publicly debated coaches, such as basketball’s Cunzo Martin and Nyla Milleson.
“You have to look at their whole body of work and their overall progress,” he says. “It’s not just how much they win or lose.”
A father of two college students, Moats knows the value of a good education and aims to instill that in his student athletes. During the spring 2013 semester, MSU had 238 student athletes with a 3.0 GPA or above, its highest number to date.
“I’ve never bought into the stereotypes,” he says. “I expect them to graduate. I think that takes an emphasis from the top down.”
Self-described as chief of the athletics public relations department, Moats takes the job seriously because it helps with another task – fundraising.
“Our budget is about 50 percent university funded,” he says, “that leaves a lot of room for me to fill.”
He’s successfully fundraised for projects such as the $3.7 million locker rooms and $400,000 stadium lights. He also increased sponsorships 50 percent in his first year to $1.3 million.[[In-content Ad]]
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
