Brian Sisson is the Director of Athletics at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, a position he has held since the 2018-19 academic school year, where he provides leadership and strategic oversight for 17 NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic programs, more than 30 full-time staff members, and over 350 student-athletes competing in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Sisson has transformed the athletic department through a comprehensive vision grounded in excellence, innovation, and growth.
Since arriving at Saint Mary’s, Sisson has made strategic hires, has elevated key positions to full-time, created new positions as well as formulating a comprehensive athletics strategic plan. Under his leadership, the university hosted several high-profile events, including the school's first ever 2025 NCAA Softball Super Regionals and Regionals, the 2022 MIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, and the 2024 and 2025 MIAC Softball Championships. He also developed a facilities master plan and spearheaded numerous upgrades across many university athletic facilities.
Fundraising under Sisson’s direction has reached unprecedented heights, with over $6.69 million raised to support Cardinal Athletics. The 2024–25 academic year alone brought in a record-setting $3.26 million. He was instrumental in securing the largest gift in university athletics history—a $2.625 million contribution for the David R. Thies Arena. His efforts have also led to significant gifts including $1 million for hockey programs, $550,000 to turf the baseball and softball infields, $290,000 for the innovative Game Plan for Life program, a student-athlete oriented program designed to help them successfully navigate life after sport, and $200,000 to support programs with once in a lifetime international travel experiences. Other facility enhancements under his watch include a new soccer turf field, a state-of-the-art baseball clubhouse, a fastpitch softball locker room, and renovations to every team locker room on campus.
Sisson rebranded and launched the Cardinal Excellence Fund, the department’s annual giving arm, which has seen record success. He also initiated the annual Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner and strengthened corporate partnerships with brands like Under Armour and Mayo Clinic Health System.
On the competitive front, Cardinal Athletics has enjoyed record-breaking success during his tenure. In 2025, softball set a school record with 44 wins, advanced to the NCAA Championships, and finished seventh in the nation. Women’s soccer reached the MIAC Championship for the first time in school history. Additionally in recent years, the men’s basketball program earned its first postseason win ever and hosted its first home playoff contest and baseball won the MIAC Championship advancing to the NCAA tournament. Further, teams have achieved best-in-decades performances, with student-athletes earning All-American and conference player of the year honors and multiple coach of the year accolades across multiple sports.
Academically, Saint Mary’s student-athletes have maintained a GPA above 3.30 for 11 consecutive semesters, setting records for both semester and cumulative GPAs. The program also produced two Academic All-Americans under his leadership.
Sisson has emphasized community engagement, guiding Saint Mary’s to win the 2021–22 NCAA Division III Team Works Service Challenge and finishing top ten nationally each of the following years. The athletic department also saw the university’s first Hockey Humanitarian Award in 2021, while ensuring all student-athletes and staff are engaged annually in strategic service initiatives.
Further, the department has consistently met and exceeded departmental recruitment goals, growing rosters strategically across sports to enhance opportunities and assist the university.
Before Saint Mary’s, he served as Associate Athletics Director and Director of External Relations at Lewis University, where he oversaw fundraising, marketing, and alumni engagement for 23 NCAA Division II programs. During his time there, the Flyers raised over $2.3 million and enjoyed their best-ever finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup and GLVC All-Sports standings. Prior roles include Assistant Athletics Director for Advancement at Benedictine University, where he significantly boosted fundraising and alumni engagement, and Promotions & Ticket Manager at Loyola University Chicago, where he developed innovative marketing strategies and set ticketing records.
A recognized leader in college athletics, Sisson serves on numerous national committees, including the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer National Committee, NADIIIAA Board of Directors, and the BOSCA Advisory Board and has served on many others. He has directed multiple NCAA regional championships, presented at national conventions, and published work in Athletics Administration and Athletic Management.
He holds an MBA in Sports Management and a BA in Communication with a minor in Business Marketing from Loyola University Chicago, where he was also a four-year student-athlete in men’s soccer.
Sisson and his wife Kaitlin have three children, son Landon and daughters Elin and Maren and a dog named Ollie.
