University of St. Thomas Athletics
Tom McGinnis hired as Deputy Director of Athletics
1/20/2026 9:57:00 AM | Baseball, Football, Athletics, Men's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Hockey, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Track & Field, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Hockey, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Track & Field, Volleyball
ST. PAUL, MINN. – University of St. Thomas Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten announced that Tom McGinnis will serve as the department's next Deputy Director of Athletics - Internal Operations.
"I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Tom to the University of St. Thomas," Esten said. "With more than 28 years of experience at the Division I level, Tom is a seasoned professional who will bring steady leadership and a strategic lens to serving our student-athletes and community. Tom's resume includes extensive sport administration and NCAA experience, creative and progressive management over internal operations areas, and collaborative efforts across athletics and campus units, providing a portfolio that will help St. Thomas as we continue to establish a strong Division I presence."
"What an exciting time to become a Tommie," McGinnis commented. "I want to thank Dr. Esten and the St. Thomas leadership team for this opportunity and look forward to partnering with them and the entire athletics department as we build upon the tradition of success at the University of St. Thomas."
THE McGINNIS FILE
- Joins the Tommies after 14 seasons at the University of Minnesota (2011-26) and Ohio State University (1997-2011)
- Served as the sport administrator for the men's and women's hockey, soccer and wrestling programs at Minnesota while overseeing event management, facility operations and capital projects, equipment operations, and information technology
- Served as Minnesota Athletics' chief financial and human resources officer from 2011-16
- Led the development and implementation of Minnesota's strategic plan, United Are We
- Provided leadership for NCAA and Big Ten Championships hosted in Minnesota including the 2019 Men's Final Four, 2022 Women's Final Four and multiple men's and women's Frozen Fours.
- Planned and executed major on-campus events include the World Juniors Championship, NHL Stadium Series and concerts.
- Served as Senior Associate Athletic Director and Director of Event Management at Ohio State (1997-2011)
- Current member of the NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Rules Committee and the Big Ten Olympic Sports Oversight Committee
TOM McGINNIS
McGinnis joins the Tommies after 14 seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he served as the Deputy Athletics Director. In this role, McGinnis was a member of the department's executive and senior management teams and served as the sport administrator for the men's and women's hockey, soccer and wrestling programs. He also oversaw event management, facility operations and capital projects, equipment operations, and information technology. McGinnis was the department's chief financial and human resources officer from 2011-16.
Prior to his time at Minnesota, McGinnis served in a similar role at Ohio State University. As Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration, McGinnis oversaw several departments, including human resources, information technology, ice rink operations and equipment. He began his career at Ohio State in event management in 1997 and served as Director of Event Management from 2001-04.
A graduate of Indiana University, McGinnis earned his bachelor's degree in sports management and later received his master's degree from Ohio State. He is currently a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Rules Committee and the Big Ten Olympic Sports Oversight Committee and completed the NCAA Pathway Program in 2019.
