Tom BrownStaff

Tom Brown, a 1987 Augustana University (S.D.) graduate, is in his 13th year as Director of Athletics for the College during the 2024-25 academic year. Brown has been a part of the Gustavus Athletics Department as a coach, instructor, and administrator since 1991.
 
Since becoming the Athletic Director in 2012, Brown has led multiple facility upgrades, highlighted by phase one of the Lund Center expansion project in 2022. The $29 million expansion added 72,000 square feet, featuring a weight training facility that is five times the size of the previous space, an open-concept cardio fitness center, three aerobics rooms, new locker rooms, office spaces for athletic coaches and staff, and a sizable student lounge. Brown also led the Gustie Baseball Field renovation that was completed in 2020. The renovation was completed in two phases, which started with a brand-new synthetic field turf and ended with the construction of a covered grandstand, press box, new scoreboard, dugouts, bullpens, and an elevated berm down the first base line for spectator viewing. The 2,650-square foot indoor Drenttel Golf Facility was also completed under Brown’s leadership in 2015.
 
With Brown at the helm of the athletic department, Gustie teams have captured 82 MIAC championships and appeared in the national tournament 72 times, including seven individual national champions and the 2023 national champion women's hockey team. Gustavus has captured the MIAC Women’s All-Sports Championship the past three years with the men finishing in the top-three the past three years. In 2023, the department as a whole finished 30th in the NCAA Division III Learfield Directors’ Cup, marking the highest finish since the 2010-11 academic year.
 
Brown, who received his master’s degree in exercise science at the University of Iowa, was a wide receivers coach for the 1991 Hawkeye football team that won the Big Ten title and played in the Rose Bowl. He began his career at Gustavus as an assistant coach in football and track and field and an instructor in the health and exercise science department in 1991. During his 18-year tenure with the football program, primarily as a wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator, Brown coached 18 all-conference receivers including Ryan Hoag, who was drafted by the Oakland Raiders, and Chad Arlt, who holds multiple Gustavus receiving records.
 
In December of 2008, Brown left coaching and accepted the position of Assistant Athletics Director at the College with primary responsibilities in event management. In that role, he was directly in charge of the administration of all home athletic events as well as coordinating and scheduling all indoor and outdoor athletics facilities and serving as the liaison to the advancement office in matters involving athletics fundraising.
 
Tom and his wife, Dawn, live in Saint Peter and have two grown children, Ann Marie and Thomas ’16.

Courses Taught