MOORHEAD, Minn. (MSUM Athletics) – Minnesota State University Moorhead President Anne Blackhurst announced on Wednesday that Chad Markuson will serve as the Interim Athletic Director for the Dragons as Doug Peters has accepted a position outside of the University.
Peters, who has served as the Dragons Athletic Director since 2007, has accepted a position at Prairie Heights Community Church in West Fargo, N.D.
“As hard as leaving MSUM is, I know in my heart this is the right step for me to take to have the type of impact I want to have with my life,” said Peters. “One reason for the peace I have with this move is that I know Chad Markuson can keep Dragon Athletics moving forward and focused on providing a transformational experience for our student-athletes.”
A Dragon since 2011, Markuson previously served MSUM as the Deputy Athletic Director. Markuson is not a stranger to the AD chair as he served as co-Athletic Director from 2015-2017 while Peters filled a gap in the Enrollment Management/Student Affairs Division.
“I’m confident that Chad is the right person, with the right experience, at the right time,” said President Blackhurst. “His service and reputation in the NCAA, NSIC, on our campus and in the Moorhead community demonstrate that he is the right choice.”
Markuson’s appointment is through June 30, 2022.
Responsible for the day-to-day operations of Dragon Athletics, Markuson has played an instrumental role in creating and executing the current athletics strategic plan, hiring staff, helping grow annual revenue generation to over $1 million, and carrying the responsibility for hosting NSIC and NCAA championships. He has also led over $3 million in facility upgrades, including installation of artificial turf and lights in Nemzek Stadium, the addition of a video board in Nemzek Hall and the renovation of office suites, locker rooms and other spaces in Nemzek Hall. Prior to becoming an administrator, Markuson won state championships, NSIC championships, and NCAA regional championships as a head coach.
Markuson has also been active at the campus, conference and national levels. He currently serves on the NCAA Soccer committee and previously served on the NCAA women’s golf committee for five years. He has been named to two different five-year strategic planning committees in the NSIC and has developed MSUM’s reputation for hosting fantastic championships. At MSUM, he currently serves on the Administrative Council; the University Facility, Grounds and Safety Committee; and the Gender Equity Committee.
“I am humbled and eager for this new opportunity. I am excited for Doug and his new chapter in his life and thankful for his mentorship the past nine years,” Markuson said. “Dragon Athletics will continue to build on the systems in place to further advance the department and university.”
During Doug Peters‘ tenure as Athletic Director at MSUM, the program transformed to a successful and competitive program in a 16-team NCAA Division II Conference. Notably:
- Service: Doug has actively served MSUM, NCAA, NSIC and our regional community. Current athletics service includes:
- NCAA DII Management Council
- NCAA D2 Athletics Directors Association Mentorship Program
- Academics: The NCAA Academic Success Rate of student-athletes has increased from 62 to 71 and the Federal Graduation Rate has increased from 45% in Peters first year to 61%
- Hall of Fame Recognition:
- 108 individuals and 14 teams were inducted into the Dragons Hall of Fame and Hall of Champions
- MSUM is the only school to have a member inducted into the NSIC Hall of Fame every year since the inception of the NSIC Hall of Fame, with 28 total inductees
- Promotion: Created a robust digital platform to promote the accomplishment of student-athletes, coaches, staff and alumni, including live-streaming every single home event for all sports over the last three years.
- Facilities:
- Completed a $1.5M+ fieldhouse renovation including the installation of a high definition video board system within the field house, a digital Dragons Hall of Honor, and athletic administration office renovation.
- Completed a $1.6M installation of artificial turf (Scheels Field) and lights in Nemzek Stadium
- Revenue & Scholarships:
- Grew athletic-generated revenue to over $1M.
- Increased scholarship funding from $434,000 in 2007-08 to $1.26M in 2020-21. Doubled the number of scholarship equivalencies.
In a message to the campus community, President Anne Blackhurst wrote: “What a press release cannot fully convey is Doug’s deep commitment to the success and well-being of MSUM’s student athletes and his profound influence on their MSUM experience. There is no doubt that, because of Doug’s leadership, Dragon Athletics has transformed the lives of hundreds of student athletes. Doug has also played a major role in transforming Dragon Athletics—building a consistently successful athletics program in one of the largest and most competitive conferences in the country.”
Dragon Athletics sponsors 16 varsity sports with 350 student-athletes. The Dragons are proud members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference and compete at the NCAA Division II level.
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