Dustin Kilgour Named Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs

Ohio Athletics has hired Dustin Kilgour, a fundraising professional with more than two decades of experience leading teams and uniting people across organizations, as its Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs, Director of Athletics Slade Larscheid announced today.

“I am incredibly honored to accept the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs,” said Kilgour. Thank you to both Greg Simmons and Slade Larscheid for their continued belief in my role and impact. As an alum, this opportunity is both personally meaningful and professionally energizing. Ohio will always be home, and I’m grateful to work alongside an outstanding staff that supports our student-athletes, deepens alumni and donor engagement, and drives sustainable revenue growth that strengthens the future of Bobcat Athletics.”

Kilgour is joining the athletics department after serving four years as the Chief of Staff for Ohio University Advancement and the Ohio University Foundation. In his role as Chief of Staff, Kilgour was the principal advisor to the President, Lori Stewart Gonzalez, and the Vice President of Advancement, Greg Simmons, overseeing the department’s budget, events, and communications strategy.

"We are truly excited to have Dusty join our administrative team," Larscheid said. "His wide range of experiences and relationship-building make him a perfect fit. Plus, he is a lifelong Bobcat. Dusty will help us accomplish goals and set the course for Ohio Athletics.”

During his tenure as Chief of Staff, Kilgour led all communication and media relations efforts, including all capital campaign communications, marketing materials, major gift proposals and presentations.

Before being promoted to Chief of Staff in 2022, Kilgour was the Executive Director of Presidential and Advancement Events. In this role, he directed a comprehensive master plan for event management and production for the Office of the President and Advancement. Additionally, he was responsible for managing fundraising programs and events that supported philanthropic initiatives.

Kilgour also advised and supported the Vice President of Advancement and served as a liaison to various campus administrative offices, including the Offices of Finance, Administration, and Accounting, as well as the Office of Budget Planning and Analysis.

Before his tenure in the Office of Advancement, Kilgour was the Executive Director of Conference and Event Services, where he supervised more than 180 employees and was fiduciarily responsible for managing a $6M budget. Notably, Kilgour oversaw the department’s capital investment strategy, including various multimillion-dollar capital campaigns.

In 2009, Kilgour began his tenure at Ohio, serving as Director of Golf and Tennis. He managed all aspects of golf and tennis center operations, including grounds, maintenance, and human resources. He played an integral role in fundraising, directing corporate outings and hosting NCAA-sanctioned events.

Prior to OHIO, Kilgour was the Director of Baseball and Stadium Operations for the Memphis Redbirds, where he oversaw a $3.1M budget and strategic oversight of more than 250 employees. Further, he was responsible for strategic event planning and implementation, staff recruitment, onboarding, and training.

A graduate of Ohio University, Kilgour earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Sciences in 2003, followed by a Master of Business Administration in 2004 and a Master of Sports Administration in 2005. He is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a global non-profit professional association for educational advancement professionals.

A native of Jackson, Ohio, Kilgour and his wife, Katie (‘05), an Ohio University alum, have three children—Sydnie, Rylie, and Cameron. Sydnie (‘23) is also an Ohio University alum, Rylie is a current student, and Cameron is currently in high school.