As it ventures into the new and changing world of college athletics, Indiana State introduced Nathan Christensen as its new director of athletics Thursday morning at the Hulman Center.
“This is an important moment for us here at Indiana State University, and this [hiring] was one of my top priorities,” said school president Mike Godard, who is in just his third week on the job.
Citing Christensen’s “passion and level of enthusiasm,” Godard added, “His fundraising ability is critical to supporting the athletic department.”
The president spoke to an assembly of media representatives and ISU coaches, but also to a significant number of local businesspeople, and Christensen also addressed that group.
“Indiana State picked me and I picked Indiana State,” Christensen said. He sees the work as a way to “invest in our student-athletes, invest in our campus and invest in our community. [Indiana State’s] past success. I’m honored, humbled and excited.”
The new athletic director was accompanied by his wife, Kalli, and children Eleanor and Kelby. Kelby found time as the meeting was ending to practice one of the Hulman Center goals, with the help of men’s basketball coach Matthew Graves.
Christensen comes to Indiana State from Missouri Valley Football Conference rival South Dakota State, where he was senior associate director of athletic development, and is familiar with some of the challenges he will face.
“I want to meet with as many people as possible,” he told the Tribune-Star when asked about his priorities. “Basketball is obviously what makes this place tick, but I want widespread success. And football is a priority for me.”
South Dakota State is a two-time national champion in the Football Championship Subdivision, so Christensen is used to success in that area. He expressed enthusiasm for coach Curt Mallory on Thursday, less enthusiasm for ISU’s football facilities.
And he didn’t underestimate what’s to come.
“We have work to do,” Christensen acknowledged, “and we have to work on building some meaningful relationships.”
In addition to being a member of the Jackrabbits’ FCS and MVFC, the Sycamores are – like SDSU – also a mid-major competitor in other college sports and – as evidenced recently in basketball and baseball – are facing the vagaries of the transfer portal and the remuneration that athletes can now receive.
“There will be 40 or 50 [bigger and richer schools] who are going to go out and do their own thing,” Christensen said. “We need to be the best version of the state of Indiana at the end of the day…and we want to be in a position to have conversations about conference alignment.”
And the Sycamores have some positive things going for them, he pointed out.
“We came third [in the Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Standings after the 2023-24 school year] and we won the most conference championships,” Christensen highlighted.
“And I would be willing to say that we have more [sports] history than any other school in the Missouri Valley Conference.”
