Staff Directory
- Title:
- Interim Director of Athletics and Chief Executive officer - AFAAC
- Email:
- Phone:
- 719-333-3501
A visionary and results-driven senior leader in Division I athletics, Dr. Nancy Hixson has established an exemplary record of success through strategic leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence throughout her 30-year athletics administration career. Serving as the CEO of the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation and since July of 2026, as Interim Athletics Director of Air Force Athletics, Dr. Hixson has leveraged her extensive experience leading high-performing athletic organizations to advance competitive success, strengthen organizational culture, achieve record-breaking revenue generation, and guide transformational initiatives that position Air Force intercollegiate athletic programs for sustained growth.
Recognized for her ability to align vision with execution, Dr. Hixson excels at developing long-term strategies that elevate student-athlete success, enhance operational performance, and foster meaningful partnerships across campus, conferences, and national stakeholders. Throughout her distinguished career, she has successfully led complex initiatives in strategic planning, capital projects, revenue generation, governance, talent development, organizational leadership while maintaining an unwavering focus on an integrity-driven culture.
A collaborative and forward-thinking executive, Dr. Hixson is known for building empowered teams, cultivating inclusive environments, and navigating the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics with confidence and purpose while serving the tenets and foundational core values of the United States Air Force Academy. Through decisive leadership, innovative thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Dr. Hixson has earned a reputation as a trusted leader who delivers measurable results.
Dr. Hixson played a lead role in developing the vision and foundational tenants of the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation (AFAAC) when it was established in 2013. The AFAAC is the Air Force’s congressionally authorized non-profit organization, created by public law and charged by the Secretary of the Air Force with assisting USAFA in the “development, funding, operation and management of its intercollegiate athletic programs” while generating the necessary revenue to support Air Force Intercollegiate Athletics while promoting the Academy to the nation through athletics.
During her tenure with Air Force Athletics and leading the AFAAC, fundraising initiatives through the Falcon Athletic Fund and other revenue sources including corporate sponsorships, large scale nationally recognized events and various revenue generating activities have reached record breaking levels. The AFAAC and Air Force Athletics have hosted major events such as the Warrior Games, the 2020 NHL Stadium Series game, concerts by Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, and Blake Shelton, the PBR Space Cowboys Bull Riding and Concert event in June 2026 and in September 2026 two sold out Bruno Mars concerts are slated. Notable corporate partnerships have been expanded to include USAA, Northrop Grumman, Learfield, and Nike. Capital projects during Dr. Hixson’s tenure include the renovation of the Blue and Silver Club at Falcon Stadium, the addition of a north end video board at Falcon Stadium, numerous upgrades to Clune Arena (including hockey and track & field venues) and several team and locker room renovations. In 2024, the $90 million-dollar Kucera Legacy Center/East Club at Falcon Stadium opened featuring premium seating and expanded event space while celebrating the heritage of Falcon Stadium. And coming in 2028, a $17 million renovation to the Falcon Baseball facility at Erdle Field.
Prior to joining Air Force Athletics, Dr. Hixson served as Vice President of Business Development for a regional sports commission in Colorado Springs. In that role, she collaborated with key community leaders, city officials, and influential sports industry experts to generate resources and cultivate a favorable business climate for an industry representing $250 million in annual economic activity in the region. She worked alongside various USOC National Governing Bodies including USA Hockey and USA Figure Skating. Dr. Hixson began her career as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club’s Triple A affiliate. During her three-year tenure, the ball club won its first League championship in club history, hosted the Big 8 Baseball Championship Tournament and broke ground on a state-of-the-art ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City as the cornerstone of the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS).
A native of Rantoul, IL, Dr. Hixson earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s degree in Sports Management from Southern Illinois University where she was a Division I student-athlete. In 2012, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.
She and her husband Geoff reside in Colorado Springs, CO and are the proud parents of their two children, Bryce and Avery.
