Troy Dannen Position: Director of Athletics

Troy Dannen was named the University of Northern Iowa's Director of Athletics on May 29, 2008. He became the school's fifth director of athletics since UNI turned Division I in 1980.

When he rejoined the Panther family in 2009, it was a homecoming for Dannen, who attended UNI as an undergraduate in the 1980s. He maintained close ties to the school during his nearly 20 years away from the University, and his passion and drive for the Purple and Gold was a key reason he chose to come back and guide the department.

His vision for UNI is to use the passion he has for Panther athletics, and wave the flag like never before. Not only by helping to continue the outstanding academic and athletic success that UNI teams have had in recent years, but also to expand the Panthers' reach throughout the state. Dannen believes that Panther athletic department should value excellence in all endeavors, with its primary objective being personal development and growth of its student-athletes.

Dannen believes in achieving that objective by focusing on the core educational mission of the University and ensuring the department acts with integrity and in a fiscally responsible manner. Through this, Panther athletics can continue to thrive, and achieve greater levels of success both on and off the field of play. The road map for that action plan starts with having a passion for UNI, and bringing it to the table each day. Then, focusing that passion into a work ethic and drive to make UNI the best place it can be.

This past year, Dannen's first, UNI finished fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference's all-sports standings, marking the third straight year the Panthers have posted an upper-division finish. UNI captured conference championships in football, men's basketball (its first-ever Valley regular-season title), and men's indoor and outdoor track and field, while wrestling won the West Regional. Teams or individuals in eight sports advanced to NCAA postseason play in 2008-09. Dannen also hired two new coaches this past year - Travis Geopfert to head track and field (with Geopfert earning Valley Coach of the Year honors), and James Price for women's soccer.

Dannen originated the idea for the first "Rally in the Valley" dinner auction, which raised more than $100,000 for UNI athletics. He has initiated a grass-roots campaign to increase membership in the Panther Scholarship Club, especially in the state capital of Des Moines. Dannen also spearheaded the athletic department's drive to fund-raise to replace the aging turf in the UNI-Dome. Capital projects undertaken include the construction of new administrative offices and a student-athlete academic center, as well as the building of suites in both the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center.

In addition to success on the field of play, Dannen continues to make academic success a priority as well. A total of 135 Panthers (more than 30 percent of all UNI student-athletes) were named to the Missouri Valley Conference's honor roll this year, for maintaining at least a 3.2 grade point average during the fall of 2008.

For the six years prior to coming back to UNI, Dannen served as Executive Director of the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU). As the governing body for high school sports in the state of Iowa, the IGHSAU oversees nearly 400 schools and more than 70,000 students, in the 11 sports offered by the Union. Dannen has served in various capacities at the IGHSAU over 18 years, including serving nine years (1993-2002) as associate executive director.

Dannen oversaw a 40 percent growth in the Union's budget on his watch, all the while operating the IGHSAU in the black, which allowed for the establishment of a significant reserve fund. Sponsorship agreements soared to new heights during his tenure as executive director, as Dannen has spearheaded expanding the Union's existing deals and developing landmark new corporate sponsors. He also developed a statewide multi-media rights agreement for the IGHSAU, and created numerous scholarship programs for high school student-athletes who excel in the classroom.

In addition, Dannen is active in community service in both the greater Des Moines area and around the state. He has been a member of the Iowa Games Board of Directors, the Greater Des Moines Sports Commission, and served on the AAU Junior Olympics Local Organizing Committee. He also has served on the Iowa Athletic Council, Iowa Referee Committee and the Drake Relays Committee. Dannen has also been active internationally, having twice been a presenter in Malaysia - at the request of the Olympic Council of Malaysia - on the topic of youth sports and sport program development.

Born and raised on a farm near Marshalltown, Iowa, Dannen, 42, received his bachelor's degree in public relations with a minor in journalism from UNI in 1989. He and his wife, Lori, have two daughters: Emily and Holly.