New Mexico State names Mario Moccia as new athletic director

New Mexico State has a new Director of Athletics.

Mario Moccia - who has served in a similar position at Southern Illinois since 2006 - was appointed as NMSU's new athletic director on Monday evening.

“I’m delighted to welcome Mario Moccia back to New Mexico State University,” said NMSU President Garrey Carruthers, according to the team's website. “He has a tremendous amount of leadership experience in university athletics and is skilled in working with the NCAA. Importantly, he’s a talented fundraiser and clearly a person who knows how to build sponsorships. He’s also an NMSU Aggie."

Moccia, a former graduate of the institution in 1989, previously captained the Aggie baseball team and went to play in the Detroit Tigers minor league system. He was inducted into the NM State Hall of Fame in 1998.

In light of his new position, Moccia stated:

This is an exciting day for me and my family. Returning to one’s alma mater is an opportunity not afforded to many people and to come back to Las Cruces and New Mexico State University where I have so many fond memories as a student-athlete makes me a very fortunate individual. I know my wife, Heidi, and children Addie and Gemma are excited as well. 

At the same time there are mixed emotions of leaving a tremendous athletic staff, program and so many friends in the southern Illinois area. After eight plus years you create many close friendships and both Heidi and I hope that the distance won’t be an obstacle to continuing them.