Utah Valley University Athletics

A native Utahn and graduate of Utah Valley University, Dr. Jared Sumsion has been at the helm of the school’s 16 NCAA Division I programs since May 3, 2019. Prior to that, he served as the school’s interim director after a time as the senior associate athletic director for external operations.

In the summer of 2026, after 13 seasons as members of the Western Athletic Conference, Sumsion ushered UVU athletics into a new era in The Big West Conference. Utah Valley won 25 WAC team titles under Sumsion’s leadership over seven-plus academic school years.
 
In addition to overseeing the 400 UVU student-athletes and athletic staff, he’s also been heavily involved in all facets of fundraising and in elevating UVU’s national profile. In 2024, Sumsion was named a NCAA Division I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA, and was honored at the national convention in Las Vegas. 
 
Under his leadership, Utah Valley Athletics has celebrated many successes, including:

• 2019-20 WAC Commissioner’s Cup
• 25 WAC Team Championships
• 6 consecutive WAC Academic Excellence Awards (2020-26)
• 13 NACMA ‘Best of’ Awards  
• 2023-24 NACMA Unity Award
• 2021-22 CoSIDA Changemaker Innovation Award  
• National rankings for first time in women’s soccer, women’s cross country and women’s outdoor track & field
• 10 team NCAA Tournament Appearances
• 2022-23 Men’s Basketball NIT Semifinal berth
• Hirings of Mark Madsen & Todd Phillips (MBB), Chris Lemay (WSOC), Dan Nielson (WBB), Juli Erekson (WGOLF), Kyle Beckerman & Michael Chesler (MSOC), Eddie Smith & Nate Rasmussen (BSB), Cody Thomson (SB), and Adam Hall (WRE)
• 14 College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans
• 12 NCAA All-Americans  
• NCAA Track & Field National Champion and NCAA Track & Field runner-up
• Men's soccer started 2025 season with six straight shutouts and a No. 16 National ranking
• Women’s Soccer NCAA Tournament Win
• First men’s and women’s golf individual WAC Champions
• 3 WAC Stan Bates Award Winners
• 2 WAC Joe Kearney Award Winners

Sumsion’s leadership has also resulted in the largest fundraising donation in university history. Including the announcement of a new $28.5m soccer stadium in a partnership with Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU). He also spearheaded a $17.7m partnership with doTERRA that benefits all of UVU’s 16 NCAA Division I athletic programs and includes doTERRA Field at UCCU Ballpark, the doTERRA Training Dome, and a new doTERRA Performance Center in Lockhart Arena. Additionally, corporate partnership and annual giving has increased to over $2m per year under his direction.
 
In his position as senior associate athletic director, Sumsion oversaw the enhancement of current revenue streams, major gift fundraising, annual giving, donor relations, corporate partnerships, and strategic planning. He oversaw marketing, branding, licensing, major events, media relations, game operations, and ticket sales. He was instrumental in UVU’s acceptance into the WAC and oversaw the wrestling programs transition into the BIG 12 conference.
 
Before becoming athletic director, Sumsion was also the administrator for UVU's baseball, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's & women's cross-country, men's & women's indoor and outdoor track & field teams, and wrestling programs.
 
Prior to his time in athletic administration, Sumsion served as the assistant to former UVU President William A. Sederburg. In that position, Sumsion was a part of the administrative team that oversaw the institution's transition from state college to university. Additionally, from 2001-2005 he worked as a surgical assistant for Intermountain Healthcare, specializing in orthopedics.

He received a bachelor's degree from UVU, where he served as student body president. He holds a master's degree in business administration and a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership with a minor in conflict resolution.

A native of Springville, Utah, Sumsion and his wife, Stephanie, have four children: Kyson, Krew, Maylee, and Remi.