LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Speaking at the Stan Fulton Center Oct. 2, newly appointed athletic director Joe Fields conveyed assurance in guiding New Mexico State University athletics forward and an awareness of the responsibility that accompanies the role.
“I’m honored to stand in front of you as the new athletic director of New Mexico State University,” Fields said. “We can author our own future. We can write our own story moving forward.”
Fields officially began his role Oct. 8, taking over a department eager for stability and direction following a turbulent stretch that included leadership changes and a hazing controversy within the men’s basketball program in 2023.
A former Syracuse University football standout and veteran administrator, Fields comes to NMSU after serving as Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Tulsa.
His résumé also includes leadership positions at Syracuse and for seven years at Texas A&M University, where he worked closely with student-athletes during the rise of the NIL era.
NMSU President Valerio Ferme praised Fields during the introduction, calling him “humble yet self-assured,” and emphasizing his focus on “personal and organizational excellence.”
A mix of confidence and care was clear throughout Fields’ remarks. He repeatedly pointed to student-athlete success as his top priority — not only in competition, but in the classroom and in life beyond sports.
“We must strive for excellence in all that we do,” Fields said. “The world of college athletics has evolved. We must evolve with it; with integrity, hard work, accountability and most importantly, we’ll do it all together.”
Fields laid out three core goals for NMSU athletics.
These goals are to graduate student-athletes, win championships and operate a first-class organization. He said those values would guide every program, from football and basketball to smaller sports that often receive less attention.
“We’re going to sit down with each of our coaches and figure out what a championship program looks like for them,” Fields told reporters. “It might be more scholarships, more nutrition or new resources. Every program matters.”
When asked about fundraising and financial growth — key challenges for mid-major athletic departments — Fields said he plans to take an active role in community engagement and donor relations.
“It starts with sharing our vision,” Fields said. “We have to get out in the community, tell our story and make sure people know how they can play a role in that vision.”
The emphasis on connection and collaboration stood out to many in attendance. Fields mentioned his first priority is to listen —get to know NMSU’s coaches, student-athletes and supporters before making big decisions.
“I want to meet the people who make this place special,” Fields said. “That’s how we move forward together.”
During the press conference, Fields also acknowledged the need to learn from NMSU’s past issues, particularly the incidents involving the men’s basketball program, but made it clear his focus is on progress.
“The past is the past,” Fields said. “We’ll learn from it, but we’re going to concentrate on moving forward. We’re going to build a program that operates with integrity.”
For a university community passionate about its teams and future, Fields’ energy offered a hopeful tone.
“We can feel it,” Fields said, smiling. “New Mexico State athletics is ready to move forward. We’re eager for the next chapter.”
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