VERMILLION, S.D. – University of South Dakota Director of Athletics Jon Schemmel is excited to announce another staff promotion. Gina Mockler was named the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations on Tuesday. She will also serve as the Senior Woman Administrator for the Coyotes.
 
"In a very short period of time it has become abundantly clear to me that Gina is a leader in this department," said Schemmel. "This promotion is simply a formalization of her leadership role, and a recognition of the exceptional work she has been doing since long before my arrival. As a former student-athlete here, Gina is a Coyote through-and-through and I am incredibly excited to work alongside her and watch her continue to grow as an administrator."
 
Mockler will have a bevy of new areas of responsibility with her new role. She already oversaw budget and finance for USD athletics and added oversight of the equipment room last year. In her new role, she will add oversight of compliance, strength and conditioning, athletic training, and the USD mental health program. The former USD volleyball player will also serve as the sport administrator for her former team as well as women's basketball.
 
"I would like to thank Jon Schemmel for the opportunity to expand my role within the USD athletics department," said Mockler. "Working with Coyotes Athletics for the last two years I couldn't be happier to continue to help the program be the best it can be. USD laid an incredible foundation for me as an athlete, and I look forward to the opportunity to give back to our current student-athletes. It is an exciting time to be a Coyote and I cannot wait to assist Jon, our coaches, support staff, and most importantly the athletes in this new era of Coyote Athletics."
 
Mockler started with USD athletics in June of 2022, coming over from the campus budget office where she served as the senior budget and finance specialist. In all, Mockler has served with the university for 14 years since her graduation from USD in 2010. A native of Mitchell, South Dakota, she was a setter on the USD volleyball team from 2005 to 2009, and currently ranks fifth all-time in career assists for the Coyote volleyball program. She received both her undergraduate and master's degrees from USD.
 
Mockler lives in Vermillion with her husband, Brett, and two children, Mickelson and Maverick.  Her new duties will begin immediately.