JOPLIN, Mo. – Director of Athletics Rob Mallory has announced the addition of Eric Mueller to the Missouri Southern Athletics Department. Mueller will serve as the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications.
 
"We are extremely excited to add Eric to our team in this critical role," Mallory said of Mueller. "His experience at the highest levels of college athletics combined with his diverse skill set will make him a tremendous asset to our student-athletes, coaches, media, and our entire community. I look forward to working alongside him to elevate and grow our communications efforts."
 
As Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications, Mueller is responsible for MSSU's external communications and serves as a liaison between Lion coaches and student-athletes and the media. 
 
"I'm very excited to lead Missouri Southern's Athletic Communications department," Mueller said of the role. "I feel my prior experiences in strategic communications have prepared me for this position and I'm thrilled to tell the stories of our coaches and student-athletes at Southern."
 
Mueller brings a background in athletic communications to Missouri Southern, coming most recently from the University of Missouri. While at the NCAA Division I institution he was the Strategic Communications Assistant Director, serving as the primary media relations and digital marketing contact for the women's volleyball and softball programs. 
 
Mueller hosted the 2024 NCAA Columbia Regional and Super Regional at Mizzou Softball Stadium as the Tigers' finished the season ranked seventh nationally. 
 
He also covered back-to-back NCAA Regional volleyball teams including a Sweet 16 run led by 2024 AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year Dawn Sullivan.
 
Prior to his role with the Tigers, Mueller worked in the athletic department at Southeast Missouri State University. He wrapped up his time there as the Strategic Communications Assistant Director where he was the primary media contact for women's volleyball, women's basketball, women's soccer, cross country, women's gymnastics, women's tennis, and track & field. He also assisted with softball, baseball, football and men's basketball. 
 
Mueller covered the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament champion SEMO volleyball team that qualified for NCAA Regionals after securing the tournament title at home in Cape Girardeau. 
 
He also directed the 2021 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship held at the Show Me Center as the Redhawks captured the Championship as the host program.  
 
Additionally, he spent time as a graduate assistant for the Redhawks where he received master's degrees in Management and Higher Education Administration.            
 
He has also worked with the International Racquetball Tour, Rockford IceHogs hockey team, Chicago Bandits softball team and the Pioneer Press in St. Paul, Minnesota. 
 
As a student sports reporter with the Pioneer Press, he covered Minnesota Gopher hockey including the 62-game win streak held by the women's program. 
 
Mueller is originally from Addison, Illinois, and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Sport Management.