Joel Maturi, retiring Gopher athletics director, will join Kinesiology as a faculty member in Sport Management beginning in fall 2012. Maturi, who has led Gopher athletics for the past 10 years, has been a regular guest lecturer in Sport Management courses each semester during his tenure as athletics director, which ends on June 30. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to be teaching in the School of Kinesiology,” says Maturi. “I’ve always been an educator at heart, and being a guest lecturer in Kinesiology all these years has made me realize that being in the classroom, working with students, and helping design courses will be one of my great rewards in retirement.”
As athletic director at the U of M, Maturi oversaw the difficult merger of the men’s and women’s athletic departments, the fund raising and construction of TCF Bank Stadium, and men’s and women’s hockey and wrestling national championship titles. During Maturi’s tenure, the Gopher athletics budget was balanced for 10 consecutive years after facing a projected $31 million deficit at the time he was hired. Under his leadership, Golden Gopher athletes have won more than 40 Big Ten or WCHA championships.
The School’s director, Dr. Li Li Ji, feels that Maturi’s 40 years of experience in sports and his national stature and reputation will give students a unique classroom experience. “Joel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our school,” he says. “He’s an educator and role model of the highest caliber, and we’re fortunate to have him on our faculty.”