Aggie Athletics begins new era

Joe Fields adapts. NMSU’s athletics director, who has been on the job since October 2025, grew up as an aspiring quarterback but found his greatest on-field success as a defensive back. Later, Fields dreamt of coaching, then realized his big-picture passion suited administration. As he guides the Aggies through a revolutionary time in college sports, Fields reflects on his journey.

Q: What’s your vision for NMSU athletics in five years?

“In five years, I want New Mexico State University athletics to be graduating student-athletes at a high level, competing for and winning championships, and operating as a first-class organization in every area. Just as importantly, I want us strategically positioned to have as many options as possible in the ever-evolving college athletics landscape.”

Q: With name, image and likeness, revenue sharing and lots of player movement, college sports has changed a lot since you were an athlete. How do you navigate this evolving landscape?

“First, we have to accept that this is the new normal. NIL, revenue sharing and player movement aren’t going away, so we have to be organized, proactive and strategic in how we operate. That means building strong internal structure and continuing to enhance our student-athlete benefits package so we can retain our current players and attract new ones. Adaptability and preparation are key in today’s landscape.”

Q: Within this landscape, where does NMSU athletics have strengths and challenges?

“Our strength is that we offer student-athletes the opportunity to compete at the Division I level in football and basketball while receiving a comprehensive benefits package that’s competitive within the Group of Five. That’s meaningful.

“The challenge is that when our student-athletes perform at a high level, they’ll naturally attract interest from Power Four programs with greater financial resources and visibility. But that’s not unique to us, every institution is navigating its own set of challenges in this evolving landscape. Our focus is on maximizing our strengths and positioning ourselves to compete effectively at our level.”

Q: What do you like about Las Cruces that you didn’t know before living here?

“What’s really stood out to me is the diversity, the food and the people. There’s a true campus-centric feel here, and the passion for the Aggies is real. The community genuinely loves the university, and that pride gives me an extra push every day to make sure I’m doing the very best job I can.”

Q: What do you do to unwind?

“I’m still working on unwinding, but family time is my go-to. My kids are 8 and 4 and very active, my son plays basketball, football and baseball, and we really enjoy spending time together. Those moments aren’t centered around work; they give me a chance to detach, be a dad, and just enjoy life outside athletics. I really value that time.”

Q: You’ve talked about modernizing the NMSU athletics department. How is that process going?

“We’ve made progress, but we’ve also been honest about where we’ve been — in some areas, we were operating in the Stone Age. Modernizing means restructuring our organization so that roles and responsibilities reflect today’s priorities. It means embracing technology in everything we do — transitioning from paper tickets to digital ticketing, moving from static sponsorship signage to digital boards, and integrating tech into daily operations. Technology is now central to college athletics, and we’re committed to fully embracing it as we move forward.” 

Q: What’s one thing you’d like aspiring college athletes to know?

“I’d tell aspiring college athletes to balance the opportunities in front of them today with their long-term goals. NIL and movement can be exciting, but earning your degree, building lifelong relationships and fully embracing the college experience matter just as much. Fifteen years from now, the question isn’t just where you played, it’s which institution you’re proud to call your alma mater.”

Q: Who are some people you think of as leadership role models and why?

“From afar, I’ve always admired leaders like Barack Obama. The way he rose to the presidency with class and composure was inspiring. But personally, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have great coaches and mentors. Growing up in inner-city Houston, my coaches were real heroes, guiding and supporting young men from my neighborhood. My mentors have always been men I look up to and strive to emulate in my own leadership.”

Q: What piece of advice do you find yourself repeating to others?

“I’ve received a lot of great advice throughout my life, and some has been more impactful than others. Right now, the advice that resonates most is: lead and make a difference — everything else will take care of itself. It’s served me well: stay present, focus on the job in front of you. There’s a shortage of true leadership, so concentrating on being the best leader for your people and your team will pay the greatest dividends.” 

Q: You played quarterback from the time you were 7 till midway through your college career. How difficult was it to switch positions, and what did you learn from that experience?

“The switch was actually pretty smooth because I already understood the offense, which helped me on defense. But I’ll always be a QB at heart, playing that position taught me leadership, accountability, confidence and how to command a huddle. Everyone is always watching the QB, and you learn to respect that every player’s role matters: the OL has to block, the RB has to make plays, the WR has to catch. Those same principles guide how I lead today, respecting every role and empowering people to succeed together.”

Q: When did you know you wanted to be an athletic director?

“I didn’t originally set out to become an athletic director. After my playing career ended, I thought I wanted to coach. But once I moved into administration, I quickly realized I had a passion for the bigger picture, leadership, culture-building and shaping an entire athletic department. That’s when I identified a clear path to becoming an athletic director.” 

Q: What piqued your interest about the opportunity at NMSU?

“I was drawn to NMSU’s diversity and vibrant community, and I saw a real opportunity to make an impact. I felt my skill set and experiences aligned with what was needed for success. I was also intrigued by the president’s vision and his clear commitment to supporting athletics.”

Q: How familiar were you with Las Cruces before interviewing for the AD position?

“I wasn’t very familiar with Las Cruces beyond what I had heard. Fortunately, the University of Tulsa had played here before my Zoom interview, so I was able to visit and get a feel for the community and campus. Later, during the on-campus portion of the interview, my wife was able to attend, and she really loved everything she saw. That made our decision much easier.”

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

“Honestly, no hidden talents, I’m pretty boring outside of work. Unless you count dad jokes and the dance moves my kids get me to perform.”

Q: Are there any skills you are learning/wanting to learn right now?

“I’m always working to grow in leadership and my business savvy — you can never be ‘good enough’ in those areas. Leaders have to continually evolve and adapt. The business side of athletics is constantly changing, with new trends and opportunities emerging all the time, so I make it a point to stay at the forefront and keep learning.”

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“The best advice I’ve ever received is to lead and make a difference — everything else will take care of itself. It’s served me well: stay present, focus on the job in front of you, and the right people will notice. There’s a shortage of true leadership, so concentrating on being the best leader for your people and your team will always pay off.”

Q: What was the first pro athlete’s jersey you had as a kid?

“The first pro athlete jersey I had was Shawn Kemp. I actually wanted a Hakeem Olajuwon jersey, but the Shawn Kemp one was on sale, so I became a fan pretty quickly to justify it.”