Bio

Joe Christianson became the Associate Athletic Director in the spring of 2018. He moved into the position after Rachel Bergeson was named Athletic Director on June 13. 

Before being named as the Associate Athletic Director Christianson served the department in the role of Director of Corporate Sponsorships and also as a part of the fundraising team. Christianson is also the men's golf coach and Director of Golf Operations.

Christianson grew up in Halstad, Minn. and attended Norman County West High School. As a member of the Norman County West boys' golf team won the Minnesota State Class A individual championship in 1998. 

After winning the state championship in his senior year at Norman County West Christianson attended Iowa State on a golf scholarship. He then transferred to the University of West Florida in Pensacola , Fla.  to be able to play golf year round. In his very first season at West Florida he was a part of the team which won the NCAA Division II national championship in 2001.

Christianson graduated from West Florida in 2003 and finished his collegiate playing career as a two-time All-American and a two-time Cleveland Golf Scholar All-American.

Christianson then spent nine years in the New York area as a player and teaching professional. In 2009 Christianson set a course record at the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship Pre-Qualifier by shooting a 65 at Bulls Bridge Golf Club in Kent, Conn. He also finished in the top 8 in the Metropolitan PGA Championship in and was the runner-up in the Westchester PGA Championship in 2011.
 
During his playing days after college Christianson also served as a teaching professional in the New York area.  He was a pro at two of the premier facilities in the region at Quaker Ridge Country Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. and Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y.   

Christianson recently completed his Master's Degree in Sports Management at St. John’s University (N.Y.).