Ball State University Athletics
Longtime BSU Athletics Administrator Joe Hernandez Announced as New Lafayette Jefferson High School AD
October 14, 2019 | General
MUNCIE, Ind. – Joe Hernandez has been a staple of Ball State Athletics for nearly 35 years. He is now taking on a new path as the Athletics Director at Lafayette Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana, beginning in November.
"It has been a pleasure working with the student-athletes, coaches, staff and all those who have enjoyed Ball State athletics for the last 34 years," Hernandez said, "but it is time for me to do something different and Lafayette Jefferson High School is a perfect fit for my family and me."
Hernandez came to Ball State as an undergraduate student in 1980. He earned both his bachelor's degree (1984) and master's degree (1991) from the university in journalism. His first full-time position at Ball State came in 1986 as the Assistant Sports Information Director. He took over as Sports Information Director from Earl Yestingsmeier in 1990 and later was promoted to Assistant Athletics Director in 1999 and Associate Athletics Director in 2002.
"Joe has impacted a countless number of people throughout his career at Ball State – student-athletes, coaches, staff, alums and Cardinals supporters all across the country," Ball State Athletics Director Beth Goetz said. "We wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this new challenge at Lafayette Jefferson."
For most of his Ball State career, Hernandez oversaw the media relations and communications efforts from the athletics department. He has served as Associate Athletics Director for Sports and Alumni Relations for the last five years. Other duties included overseeing the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame and serving as sport administrator for several sports.
During his tenure at Ball State, Hernandez worked 304 consecutive Ball State football games as the SID before transitioning to his current role. He served numerous roles within the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including a year as the organization's president in 2005-06. Around 20 of his former student workers and graduate assistants have gone on to establish careers in the athletics profession. In 2007, he was bestowed the Ball State Benny Award, which honors Ball State alumni, community members, and faculty and staff who contribute outstanding service to the community.
"This great opportunity will give me the chance to mentor young student-athletes and coaches while doing what I have always loved – working in athletics," Hernandez said. "It also allows me to stay close to my family, my wife's family and many friends. I am looking forward to the transition to the Bronchos family but will always be available for anything my Ball State family needs. Having come to Ball State as a student in 1980 and spending my career here, it is a place near and dear to me and my family. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal, but now I will be wearing the red, black and white for both the Cardinals and Bronchos."
"It has been a pleasure working with the student-athletes, coaches, staff and all those who have enjoyed Ball State athletics for the last 34 years," Hernandez said, "but it is time for me to do something different and Lafayette Jefferson High School is a perfect fit for my family and me."
Hernandez came to Ball State as an undergraduate student in 1980. He earned both his bachelor's degree (1984) and master's degree (1991) from the university in journalism. His first full-time position at Ball State came in 1986 as the Assistant Sports Information Director. He took over as Sports Information Director from Earl Yestingsmeier in 1990 and later was promoted to Assistant Athletics Director in 1999 and Associate Athletics Director in 2002.
"Joe has impacted a countless number of people throughout his career at Ball State – student-athletes, coaches, staff, alums and Cardinals supporters all across the country," Ball State Athletics Director Beth Goetz said. "We wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this new challenge at Lafayette Jefferson."
For most of his Ball State career, Hernandez oversaw the media relations and communications efforts from the athletics department. He has served as Associate Athletics Director for Sports and Alumni Relations for the last five years. Other duties included overseeing the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame and serving as sport administrator for several sports.
During his tenure at Ball State, Hernandez worked 304 consecutive Ball State football games as the SID before transitioning to his current role. He served numerous roles within the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including a year as the organization's president in 2005-06. Around 20 of his former student workers and graduate assistants have gone on to establish careers in the athletics profession. In 2007, he was bestowed the Ball State Benny Award, which honors Ball State alumni, community members, and faculty and staff who contribute outstanding service to the community.
"This great opportunity will give me the chance to mentor young student-athletes and coaches while doing what I have always loved – working in athletics," Hernandez said. "It also allows me to stay close to my family, my wife's family and many friends. I am looking forward to the transition to the Bronchos family but will always be available for anything my Ball State family needs. Having come to Ball State as a student in 1980 and spending my career here, it is a place near and dear to me and my family. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal, but now I will be wearing the red, black and white for both the Cardinals and Bronchos."
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