Sept. 5, 2024–Missouri Western State University and Andy Carter, director of athletics, have agreed to a three-year contract extension that will keep Carter at the helm of Griffon Athletics through 2027.
“Andy Carter has been a great leader for Griffon Athletics, and a great colleague and friend,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western president. “Last year was one of the best in university history, with the second-most wins in team sports ever. And it was the best academically, with a department-wide GPA of 3.318. With Andy guiding the way, I expect athletics to continue to lead the way in competition, the classroom and community service.”
“First and foremost, this isn’t possible without the tremendous leadership of President Kennedy, who has been our athletic department’s biggest advocate,” Carter said. “I’m also grateful to have a fantastic and highly dedicated administrative team to provide leadership throughout the Griffon Athletic department. I am thankful for the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches as they prepare to always represent us well. I would also be remiss if I did not mention the members and leadership of our Gold Coat Club. These volunteers and the manner by which they connect the community back to the university is invaluable. Missouri Western is a special place and I am honored to call this university and community home. St. Joseph has embraced Rena and I since we arrived two years ago and I am grateful for the confidence that Dr. Kennedy and our board of governors have shown in me throughout my time here.”
Missouri Western named Carter as director of athletics on April 20, 2022. In the 2023-2024 academic year:
- Eight athletic teams achieved the highest annual GPA in their program’s history
- Student-athletes completed 4,033 hours of community service
- 20 student-athletes received conference player of the week recognition, and three were named conference defensive player of the year
- Football won eight games and qualified for the Live United Bowl
- Women’s Basketball won the MIAA Regular Season Championship
- Women’s Tennis won the MIAA Postseason Tournament for the first time in program history and advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA DII National Tournament
- Men’s Golf Qualified one individual for the NCAA DII Men’s Regional Tournament
- Women’s Track & Field qualified two individuals for the NCAA DII National Tournament, in three separate events
- Griffon Athletics has made $1.1M in strategic investments, and first time annual corporate-partner gross sales have exceeded $500,000
Carter arrived at Missouri Western with more than 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, the last 25 as an athletic director at NAIA Missouri Baptist University and NCAA Division II institutions Newberry College, Armstrong Atlantic State University and Northwestern Oklahoma State University before joining Minot State in 2016.
He was appointed to the NCAA Division II Membership Committee in 2019 and has served in numerous other leadership roles at the NCAA and conference levels.
In addition, Carter had a successful baseball coaching career, leading his team at Missouri Baptist University to seven consecutive American Midwest Conference championships, earning seven conference coach of the year awards and being inducted into the Missouri Baptist Athletic Hall of Fame.
Carter attended East Central College, has a bachelor of science degree from Missouri Baptist University and a master of business administration from Lindenwood University.
Carter spent his early years in mid-Missouri and graduated from high school in St. Charles, Missouri, where he met his wife Rena. They have seven children and 13 grandchildren.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.