Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried was named Director of Athletics at the University of Evansville on April 21, 2022, by President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz. Since his arrival, Siegfried has led the department into a new era of Purple Aces Athletics defined by transformational facility investment, competitive success across sports, academic excellence, and strengthened campus and community engagement.
Early in his tenure, Siegfried introduced the Pathway to Excellence Athletics Strategic Plan, a comprehensive framework focused on six core areas: education, competition, campus and community engagement, facilities, enrollment management, and resources. The plan has served as the blueprint for significant momentum across the department and has translated quickly into measurable results.
A cornerstone of Siegfried’s leadership has been the modernization and transformation of athletics facilities. In June 2023, UE Athletics unveiled a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, and under Siegfried’s direction the department has completed or is in the process of completing more than $8.2 million in capital projects. These investments include the $4.8 million Freeland Baseball Clubhouse, a state-of-the-art Sports Performance Center, a new Softball Turf Field, intramural and soccer practice field enhancements, expanded baseball press box renovations, and upgraded basketball practice facilities.
Building on that momentum, UE Athletics has launched a new wave of transformational projects that further elevate the student-athlete experience. These include the new Softball Clubhouse, Softball Locker Room enhancements, and enhanced golf facilities, underscoring a department-wide commitment to championship-level training, wellness, and competitive excellence across all sports.
The impact of this strategic investment has been reflected in competitive success. During the 2023–2024 season, UE Athletics experienced one of its most successful years in more than two decades, achieving its highest NACDA Director’s Cup ranking since 1999. Highlights included the baseball program capturing the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title, advancing through an NCAA Division I Regional, defeating the nation’s top-ranked team, earning multiple All-America honors, and finishing in the national top 25.
That success has continued across multiple programs. Under Siegfried’s leadership, UE hired a new Head Men’s Soccer Coach, Robbe Tarver who led the program to the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship, earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 1996, and followed that achievement with a Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championship in 2025. Women’s golf, volleyball, swimming and diving, track and field, and numerous other programs have also produced conference championships, national postseason appearances, and historic individual honors.
Under Siegfried’s leadership, UE Athletics has also made significant strides in revenue generation and institutional impact. Since his arrival, ticket revenue has increased by 61 percent, fundraising revenue has grown by 53 percent, and in May 2024 the department received a $3 million leadership gift supporting facility development. Siegfried also spearheaded an Athletics Enrollment Plan that generated more than $1 million in new net revenue for the University during the 2023–2024 academic year.
Academic achievement and holistic student-athlete development remain central priorities. UE student-athletes have recorded the two highest cumulative GPAs in department history during Siegfried’s tenure, with all 17 teams earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher. UE also ranks among the top programs in the Missouri Valley Conference in Graduation Success Rate.
Siegfried has emphasized visibility, transparency, and relationship-building since day one. He established the Athletics Director’s Council to strengthen external engagement and has prioritized meaningful connections with students, alumni, donors, and community partners. Attendance across multiple sports has increased significantly, reflecting renewed energy and connection with Purple Aces Athletics.
Before joining Evansville, Siegfried served as Director of Athletics at California State University, Bakersfield from 2014 to 2022, where he led a 16-sport Division I program through its most successful period since transitioning to Division I. Under his leadership, CSUB experienced the best competitive stretch in its Division I history, winning seven conference championships from 2014–2018, compared to just one championship from 2010–2014. During that time, Siegfried guided the department through strategic growth, conference realignment into the Big West Conference, major facility planning, and record-setting fundraising and academic outcomes. Prior to CSUB, he spent eight years at the University of Memphis in senior athletics leadership roles and as part of the University’s fundraising leadership team.
Siegfried earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis, a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University, and a doctorate in education from the University of Memphis. He is active nationally in NCAA governance and academic success initiatives. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he and his wife, Karen, are the parents of five children.
