Director of Athletics
Stacey has served as Director of Athletics since 2005 and has led the department to dramatic growth and success during his tenure through implementation of creative strategic initiatives.
In 2023-24, the Wildcat athletic teams secured two Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) championships in golf and soccer, sending both teams to NCAA postseason competition. The golf team was fifth overall at the national championships, accomplishing the best finish from a Wildcat team since joining the NCAA.
The 2022-23 season included MIAC championships from the Wildcat soccer team, the swimming and diving team and an individual championship title from Kyra Venne (golf) and Bryana Leverentz (outdoor track & field).
In 2021-22, St. Kate's had an unprecedented year with four MIAC titles along with the university's first-ever NCAA Championship title. Jordyn Wentzel '22 from the Wildcat swimming and diving team had a record break season winning the 200-yard butterfly while setting a national record time. Prior to that, the Wildcat soccer team won the regular season and playoff titles, the Wildcat golf team secured their second consecutive title, and the swimming and diving team followed suit winning their second consecutive conference title.
In 2016-17, Stacey guided St. Kate's athletic department to its best season in program history. The Wildcats recorded their highest finish in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) All-Sports Standings as they tallied 72.5 points during the year to finish in fifth place overall. St. Kate's also carded its highest finish in the Learfield Sports Director's Cup standings with 184 total points, to finish 109th, the highest finish by an all-women's institution.
Multiple teams also found success on the field of competition in 2016-17. St. Kate's golf team won the MIAC Championship for the first time in program history and made its first-ever NCAA Championship appearance as well. After qualifying for the MIAC and NCAA Tournaments for the first time in program history in 2016, the Wildcat softball team won the MIAC Playoff Championship and advanced to the NCAA Women's Softball Division III Championship round after winning the Regional and Super Regional tournaments in 2017. St. Kate's soccer team was the third team to advance to the NCAA Tournament in the calendar year thanks to its first ever MIAC Playoff Championship as well.
Since Stacey’s appointment as athletic director, the number of student-athletes at St. Kate’s has more than doubled thanks to his leadership in the successful addition of several varsity sports. He also administered several facility upgrades, including updates to St. Kate's outdoor fields and courts during the summer of 2017.
Stacey instituted a corporate sponsorship program for St. Kate’s athletics that now boasts more than 20 corporate partners which includes an agreement with Adidas to serve as the Wildcats’ lead sponsor for outfitting all varsity programs. Individual giving has also increased dramatically over the last 10 years and is now an integral part of the University’s strategic plan and budgeting. A collaborative partnership with the University Development Office has been an important part of Stacey’s vision for the athletic department. Total annual giving to the athletic department has risen more than 10 times during Stacey’s time as athletic director.
Stacey has also led the Wildcats to increased competitive success. Collectively, the Wildcats have compiled the top two department finishes in University history in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) All-Sports Competition under Stacey’s direction. The tennis program also won the MIAC regular season championship in 2013 – a team for which Stacey worked as the assistant coach – and more teams have qualified for post-season play than anytime in St. Kate’s history.
The increased level of competitive success can also be seen in the growing number of All-MIAC performances throughout his tenure. The 2014-2015 academic year saw the most all-conference honors earned in University history and also a record-setting number of Academic All-MIAC awards.
The athletic department is currently implementing an aggressive athletics facility plan that was developed by Stacey and an athletics facility team in 2006. The first phase – a $9 million renovation and expansion of current facilities – was completed in January of 2015. The project included dedicated indoor practice spaces in Butler Center for softball, field and throws events, tennis, soccer and volleyball. The expansion of Butler Center and renovation of Fontbonne Hall included the addition of first-class space for cardio equipment, a group fitness studio, eight classrooms and 15 offices. The Butler Center now includes a pre-eminent space for St. Kate’s varsity athletes with locker rooms, a varsity lounge and team film room.
Stacey’s 15 seasons as either head or assistant tennis coach has led to great success. The Wildcats have been ranked in the top 15 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region during eight of his years and the team has achieved a top-30 national ranking twice. Wildcat tennis qualified for the 2004 NCAA Championships and advanced to the round of 16, finishing the season ranked No. 24 in the national poll. In 2013, the Wildcats went a perfect 10-0 in the MIAC and won the regular season conference title – the first MIAC championship in over 30 years at St. Kate’s. During Stacey’s tenure his student-athletes have earned 55 all-conference honors. As head coach, Stacey was named the MIAC Coach-of-the-Year in 2002 and 2005.