John Sisemore became the eighth Director of Athletics at Northeastern State University (NSU) on July 1, 2022, and has wasted no time making a championship-level impact.
In just his first two years, Sisemore orchestrated major moves to revitalize NSU Athletics—most notably securing independent status for the football program, giving it the runway to rebuild and gain financial support through paid games. Alongside his Director of Communications, they secured a Division I match up and a nationally broadcast game on ESPN+ in 2025, as well, a flying trip to Michigan, elevating exposure and recruitment for the program.
Never one to shy away from the big stage, Sisemore hired a high-profile Power Five football coach, drawing national attention. He’s also led efforts to support underrepresented student-athletes, working with the Cherokee Nation and a third-party firm to create NIL opportunities for indigenous, minority, and underprivileged athletes. In 2024, NSU became an official Nike N7 athletics program, joining an exclusive group across the nation.
John Sisemore: Impact Timeline at Northeastern State University (2022–)
2022: Foundation & Vision
- Appointed as the 8th Athletic Director in NSU history.
- Helped launch the Indigenous Basketball Game in partnership with former Cherokee Nation Chief Joe Byrd, drawing the largest basketball crowds in program history.
- Oversaw the $1.2 million installation of lights at both the baseball and softball facilities, significantly improving game-day environments.
2023: Culture Shift & Community Reconnection
- Hired a new women’s basketball head coach, leading to the biggest single-season turnaround in program history and a postseason appearance.
- Reinstated the NSU Athletics Hall of Fame, achieving record-breaking attendance and launching the Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund.
- Upgraded the athletics ticketing system, streamlining operations and improving the fan experience.
- Developed key community partnerships with local events like the Red Fern Festival and Christmas Parade, integrating NSU Athletics into the fabric of Tahlequah.
- Helped start and develop the first official podcast for the department, The RiverHawks Sports Nest, which reaches a global audience to help introduce coaches and players to the world.
2024: Branding, Revenue, and Reinvention
- Assisted in a complete rebrand of NSU Athletics, introducing modernized logos and visuals to better reflect the department's identity and future.
- Negotiated a deal to get NSU back on the local radio for all sports, creating additional outside financial opportunities for the department.
- Created VIP areas for football and basketball, with third-party alcohol sales, enhancing fan experience, and increasing revenue.
- Oversaw major baseball facility renovations, including restrooms, locker rooms, dugouts, fencing, and landscaping.
- Secured significant funding from the Cherokee Nation to hire Indigenous coaching staff, a historic step in representation and support.
- Relaunched the NSU Backers and QB Club, generating nearly six figures in new revenue.
- Secured funding to upgrade compliance software to be in line with the top programs in the NCAA.
- Substantially increased the department’s social media presence, driving brand engagement and financial support opportunities.
2025: Record-Breaking Growth & National Spotlight
- Finalized NSU Football’s first ESPN-broadcast game, scheduled for 2025. Â
- Secured high-profile Division I football matchups, including a paid road trip to Michigan.
- Negotiated a partnership on the ESPN radio station, The Sports Animal, and the Pat Jones Show out of Tulsa.
- Expanded baseball and softball rosters, enabling the hiring of the first full-time paid assistant coaches in program history.
- Negotiated NSU’s first partnership with an orthopedic group, adding a new athletic trainer position to support student-athlete health.
- Partnered with long-time supporter Gregg Wadley to establish funding and scholarships for multiple graduate assistant positions.
- Oversaw the redesign of the NSU Athletics website, positioning it among the best in the country and increasing livestream viewership by 14%.
- Received approval to add seven new sports for 2026: Men’s and Women’s Wrestling, Volleyball, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, and Cross Country.
- The expansion will bring over 250 new student-athletes and more than $1 million in scholarships, significantly boosting university enrollment and local economic impact.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
- Official launch of seven new athletic programs.
- Negotiating an international deal to create athletic opportunities abroad, including taking teams to compete in exhibition games in China in the near future.
- Continued emphasis on strategic growth, national recognition, and elevating the student-athlete experience.
- Commitment to maintaining momentum in community engagement, fundraising, and championship-level performance across all sports
Achievements On and Off the Field
- Student Success: Under his leadership, NSU student-athletes achieved an all-time high departmental GPA of 3.23 in Spring 2025.
- Fundraising Powerhouse: Raised over $2 million in private donations, bringing back major local sponsors and funding turf, softball upgrades, and more.
- Community Champion: Revitalized the NSU Quarterback Club and NSU Backers, bringing in nearly six figures for football in months. He also spearheaded partnerships with local events like the Red Fern Festival and Christmas Parade.
- Facility Overhaul: Oversaw over $1.2 million in upgrades, including new baseball/softball lights, complete baseball facility renovations, and new VIP spaces that introduced alcohol sales and boosted ticket sales.
- Digital Growth: Guided a record-breaking increase in social media engagement and the redesign of the NSU Athletics website, resulting in an 8-year high in livestream viewership.
- Program Expansion: In 2025, received approval to add 7 new sports, including wrestling, volleyball, and multiple track and field programs, bringing over 250 new student-athletes and adding $1 million in scholarships to the university.
- New Sports & Scholarships: Brought back Men’s Tennis, started the Indigenous Basketball Game, and secured funding for graduate assistantships and a new athletic trainer via key partnerships.
Before NSU: A Winning Legacy at Crowder College
From 2014–22, Sisemore was the Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, where he built a juggernaut. Crowder became one of the winningest programs in the country, mentoring multiple future pros, including a 2025 MLB All-Star pitcher.
He transformed Crowder into a self-funded athletics program—a rare feat among NJCAA schools—raised private funds for a nationally renowned fieldhouse, and launched 5 new sports, including an Esports team that won a national title in year one.
Razorback Roots & Builder of Champions
Before his time at Crowder, Sisemore coached at the University of Arkansas, where he was mentored by legendary AD Frank Broyles. He also played a role behind the scenes—his construction company helped build or renovate nearly every major Razorback facility, including Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Willard and Pat Walker Pavilion, Randal Tyson Track Center, Baum-Walker Stadium, and Bud Walton Arena.
Back to His Roots
For Sisemore, NSU isn’t just a job—it’s home. He owns a 1,500-acre cattle farm just outside Tahlequah, where he and his daughters—Oakley, Saylor, and Siana—have shared deep family roots. His passion for athletics, community, and the student-athlete
