Upon learning that several of his responsibilities were stripped due to the restructuring of Ball State University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Associate Athletics Director Joe Hernandez was searching for answers Tuesday afternoon.
Despite maintaining his title as associate athletics director and earning the same salary, Hernandez, who is in his 22nd year at Ball State, is no longer the supervisor of the gymnastics program or men's or women's golf. Hernandez will still supervise the cheerleading team and the Cardinals' Code Red dance team.
"I've spent my whole professional life promoting Ball State athletics, and I can still do that," Hernandez said. "You don't always enjoy what you do, but I had a lot of duties before this that I really did enjoy. I would like to have my body of work speak for itself."
Following the reconstruction, Hernandez, a 1984 graduate of Ball State, will primarily be responsible for his duties as a sports information director with the Cardinals' football team. He will also remain the manager of BallStateSports.com.
Hernandez also previously supervised corporate sales, Game Day experience, advertising, communications, marketing and radio and television media. Collins said associate athletics director and marketing director Matt Wolfert will inherit those responsibilities.
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said Hernandez's diminished responsibilities were because of the athletics department's attempts to consolidate. Collins and Ball State President Jo Ann Gora both said they hope the reconstruction will help strengthen the communication within the athletics department.
"I don't view that as a demotion," Collins said. "I think that's where Joe's strengths are, and that's where he came from."
Despite the displeasure with his diminished role, Hernandez said, he understands change is sometimes necessary. Hernandez, who has worked under four athletics directors at Ball State, said his family has established a comfortable life within the Muncie community, and he doesn't plan to look for another job.
"It's a change, and everybody takes a little bit of time to get used to change," Hernandez said. "There are changes that are good sometimes and changes that are bad sometimes. But my wife's from here, and we're very comfortable with the environment we're in. I'll stay in this community."
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