Joe Foley was named Director of Athletics at Merrimack College in May 2025, bringing over two decades of leadership experience in collegiate athletics administration.

Foley arrived at Merrimack after serving as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Senior Associate Athletic Director at Texas Christian University, where he was a member of the Athletics Leadership Team supporting 22 varsity sports and more than 500 student-athletes. At TCU, he oversaw all athletic development, premium seating, while playing a key role in strategic planning, capital projects, and cultivating a culture of competitive excellence that produced multiple NCAA championship teams.

Prior to TCU, Foley spent seven years at Penn State University as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Advancement. In that role, he directed the Nittany Lion Club and guided fundraising efforts that generated record-breaking support for Penn State’s 31 varsity sports. Foley helped drive major capital projects, including facility enhancements for football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse and the student-athlete academic performance center.  Foley’s leadership was instrumental in guiding Penn State Athletics to surpass its goal as part of the University’s $2.1 billion campaign.  During Foley’s seven years in Happy Valley, the football team competed in four New Years Six bowl games; Men’s Basketball won an NIT championship and also competed in the NCAA Tournament; Women’s Volleyball, Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Lacrosse, Field Hockey, and Men’s Volleyball all advanced to Final Fours; the Wrestling team won five NCAA championships; and individual student-athletes won NCAA championships in six different sports.

Earlier in his career, Foley served as Deputy Athletic Director for Development at the University of Maryland, leading all fundraising and external relations during the school’s early years transitioning into the Big Ten Conference. The Terps also enjoyed competitive success during those years as Men’s Basketball advanced to the Sweet 16, Women’s Basketball played in the Final Four, Baseball made a Super Regional, and Women’s Lacrosse won an NCAA championship.  He also held leadership fundraising roles at Boston College, contributing to the success of the $1.5 billion Light the World campaign and supporting endowment growth and multiple facility upgrades. During Foley’s five years on the Heights, Men’s Ice Hockey played in 3 Frozen Fours and won the 2012 NCAA championship.  He began his career in athletics administration with development, marketing, sales, and ticketing roles at Ohio University and the University of Richmond.

A former Division I student-athlete, Foley competed in Track and Field at Northeastern University, where he was a part of five America East Conference championship teams (3 indoor track and 2 outdoor track).  He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and also holds master’s degrees in business administration and sports administration from Ohio University.

At Merrimack, Foley leads the College’s 28 varsity athletic programs, championing the academic and athletic success of Warrior student-athletes while fostering strong connections with alumni, donors, and the broader community.  He currently resides in Andover with his wife Emily and their three sons Thomas, James and Peter.