During his tenure at UW-Platteville, Athletic Director Mark Molesworth has already left an impact on the athletic program. Throughout the years he has brought support, inspiration and funding to all sports programs at UW-P.

Although an athlete in high school, Molesworth began his career in the business world. Having graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College, in Berea, Ohio, Molesworth started his professional career with Golf Oil.

After overseeing the export purchasing, Molesworth relocated several times. He gained experience in the business world in Houston and San Diego.

“I quickly discovered I was not an accountant,” Molesworth said.

It didn’t take long for Molesworth to return to sports. After contemplating returning to grad school to pursue a master’s in business administration, Molesworth turned to a close friend for inspiration.

“I had a friend in Ohio who basically had the same story,” Molesworth said.

The friend had his master’s degree in sports administration. He served as a role model in which Molesworth followed.

Upon graduation, Molesworth got a job as assistant athletic director at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He worked with a small staff, and gained experience at a Division-1 school.

After four years, Molesworth relocated with his wife, who he originally met in Houston, to New Hampshire.

“I came back to D-III,” Molesworth said. “In my heart, D-III was where I wanted to be.”

Having traveled to both ends of the United States, Molesworth and his family had yet to find a place to call home. The opportunity arose when he got the job offer for UW-Platteville. For his wife, it was truly returning home; Beth Molesworth had close family in Cuba City.

“There is no place I’ve been that compares to here,” Molesworth said.

Through his time at UW-P, Molesworth has built up the athletic program. He strengthened ties within the community, and used his marketing abilities to fund the program.

“He has worked with corporations and brought them in as part of the package,” Paul Erickson, Office of Sports Information director, said.

Molesworth has been innovative in developing the department, through funding, community service, and giving the athletes a voice on campus, Curt Fatzinger, Intramural and Recreations Coordinator, said.

Some of the committees Molesworth created were the Pioneer Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Athletic Review Team. PSAAC is a sports counsel comprised of two athletes per team. During meetings, students address their concerns and share ideas for their programs. The review team is comprised of coaches who vote on issues within the department.

Molesworth has also stressed community service for the athletes, Fatzinger said. He has created many opportunities for the athletes to give back to the community, or help those in need.

“He shows the athletes there is more to life than bouncing a ball, kicking a ball or running a meet,” Erickson said.

Molesworth takes pride in the achievements of the student athletes at UW-P, and knows how to support them without overstepping boundaries. He knows the importance of letting the coaching staff do their job, Erickson said.

“He is tuned in,” Fatzinger said. “He attends almost all events.”

Molesworth has shown his passion for the school he now calls home. He takes great pride in his job and the student athletes he oversees.

“There are only 420 Athletic Directors in D-III in the whole country,” Molesworth said. “I try never to lose sight of that, because it is a privilege to do what I do, especially at UW-P.”