Mizzou Bolsters Fundraising Team with Key Hires Ahead of Major Stadium Project
There’s a new face leading the charge behind the scenes at Mizzou Athletics, and he brings with him a track record of big-time fundraising in the SEC. Evin Beck has been named senior associate athletic director and executive director of the Mizzou Athletics Fund, a move that signals Missouri’s continued push to stay competitive in one of the toughest conferences in college sports.
Beck’s most recent stop was at Vanderbilt, where he played a central role in the Commodores’ ambitious $300 million Vandy United campaign. That effort included not just raising major dollars, but also helping to sell out premium seating in the football program’s latest stadium project. Now, he brings that same energy and experience to Columbia, where Mizzou is looking to elevate its athletic programs through strategic fundraising and donor engagement.
He officially starts in February and will oversee the growth and direction of the Mizzou Athletics Fund, the department’s main fundraising arm. The goal?
Fueling competitive excellence in the SEC - and that’s no small task. With facilities, recruiting, and NIL all playing a role in today’s college sports landscape, having a seasoned fundraiser at the helm is more important than ever.
“Evin’s addition provides our great Mizzou Athletics Fund team with a seasoned veteran in athletics fundraising to lead the group and drive future philanthropy,” said athletic director Laird Veatch in a statement. And he’s not wrong. Beck’s resume includes development roles at five other schools - three of them in the SEC - so he knows the terrain and understands what it takes to compete in this league, on and off the field.
But Beck isn’t the only new name joining the department. Mizzou also brought in Jarett Gerald as an assistant athletic director.
Gerald previously served as a major gifts officer at Duke, where he worked closely with donors on high-impact contributions. His addition adds more depth to a development staff that’s clearly being built for scale.
The program also announced several internal promotions, reinforcing a commitment to continuity and growth within the department. Austin Collard moves up to associate athletic director for development, Eryn Samuels takes on the role of assistant athletic director for development and strategic initiatives, and Connor Jordan steps into the position of assistant athletic director for revenue generation.
All of this comes at a pivotal moment for Mizzou Athletics. The north end zone project at Memorial Stadium - a key piece of the school’s long-term facilities plan - is nearing completion, with the finish line expected in the next six months.
That project is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s a statement of intent. And having a strong fundraising team in place is essential to making sure the Tigers don’t just keep up in the SEC arms race - they aim to lead.
With Beck now steering the Mizzou Athletics Fund and a retooled development staff around him, Missouri is positioning itself to capitalize on momentum, deepen donor relationships, and build a sustainable future for its athletic programs.