University of Connecticut Athletics
Beth Goetz Named Chief Operating Officer/SWA
6/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
STORRS, Conn. -- Beth Goetz, who has enjoyed great success in intercollegiate sports as an administrator, head coach and student-athlete, has been named Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Connecticut.
Goetz will oversee all internal departments in the UConn Division of Athletics, serve as a key member on the Division's leadership team and will serve as sport administrator for football.
Goetz comes to UConn after a three-year tenure at Minnesota, which saw her serve as the school's Interim Director of Athletics this past academic year. Prior to that, she served Minnesota as the Deputy Athletics Director and SWA.
"I am honored to join the University of Connecticut team and I am extremely grateful to Director of Athletics David Benedict and President Susan Herbst for the opportunity to serve an institution nationally recognized for academic and athletic achievement," said Goetz. "I look forward to working under David's leadership and with an outstanding group of coaches and staff as they continue to pursue excellence each and every day on behalf of UConn student-athletes and their future success."
"The opportunity to add Beth to our team at UConn is like winning the administrative national championship or signing the number one prospect in the recruiting class," said Benedict. "Beth is a consummate professional and brings a diverse skill set to Storrs and I know she will have a profound impact on our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Personally, I couldn't be happier in her decision to join the UConn family and she will have an immediate impact."
Said UConn head women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma: "The hiring of Beth is great news for UConn and presents a great opportunity for college women's basketball. Our sport is at a crossroads in many ways and UConn needs to be a leader in the continued development and promotion of the game. Beth's national experience combined with the reputation of our program will give her the opportunity to make a positive impact on the future of the game."
At Minnesota, Goetz oversaw student-athlete development, athletic medicine and strength and conditioning and was the department liaison to academic services and compliance. She was also the sport administrator for women's basketball, baseball, rowing and volleyball. Goetz also served on the Big Ten's Administrators Council and was a member of the conference's Sports Management Committee.
"Beth is a great person and is somebody that understands the importance of football," said former Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill, who was at the school from 2011-15. "Beth will do a great job at UConn and they are lucky to have her. Beth knows what a coach needs to have a successful program and is an effective administrator."
Goetz was an Associate Athletic Director and the Senior Woman Administrator at Butler from 2008-13. She was responsible for all aspects of compliance and eligibility at Butler and worked closely with the Butler men's and women's basketball program.
During her time at Butler, she worked with current Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who was the Bulldog head coach and led the team to NCAA championship game appearances in 2010 and '11.
"Beth is a great hire for the UConn Athletic Department," said Stevens. "As I've said before, she's one of the best leaders that I've been around. She empowers those that work with her and leads with her integrity, intelligence and selflessness. I feel fortunate to have had a chance to work with her at Butler and look forward to following her continued, positive impact on college athletics at UConn."
While at Butler, Goetz served as the sport administrator for a number of teams, including softball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer and track and field.
Goetz spent 12 years at Missouri-St. Louis prior to her time at Butler. She was an assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator for her final eight years and was the women's soccer head coach for 11 years.
As an administrator, Goetz assisted with all aspects of compliance at UMSL, oversaw the student service department and served as the sport administrator for baseball, softball and men's and women's golf. Goetz was an active participant on several conference and national committees and chaired the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Committee.
Goetz, who also spent one season as an assistant with the women's soccer program, was an accomplished head coach. She was only the second coach in program history and led UMSL to eight winning seasons, a 120-90-10 overall record. Goetz was the Great Lakes Valley Women's Soccer Coach of the Year in 2000.
Goetz, who was inducted into the UMSL Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, led the school to 10-straight Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournaments, including an appearance in the 2007 championship game. From 2000 to 2003, Goetz directed UMSL to the GLVC Tournament semifinals and twice appeared in the championship game. Under Goetz, UMSL had 26 players earn all-conference recognition, including 10 players who were first team selections.
Goetz was an accomplished collegiate soccer player and earned All-America recognition at Brevard College (N.C.) and then played at Clemson and helped lead the Tigers to a combined 29-11-1 record over the next two years.
Goetz earned an Associate of Arts degree from Brevard in 1994 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Clemson in 1996. She received her masters' degree from UMSL in 2000.
