After a long day with St. Thomas Athletics, Dr. Phil Esten heads to a quieter spot in his home to play the piano. Some evenings, he picks up the guitar instead. The routine remains the same: his fingers find a tune, a phrase turns into music, and the chaos of the day fades away. It’s easy to see how this mirrors what Esten has accomplished at St. Thomas; it’s like composing music: getting all the instruments in sync, setting the rhythm, cueing the right moments, and trusting everything will come together to create something greater than its individual parts.
Now four years after the Tommies started their bold ascent in college athletics, their efforts have transformed into a harmonious composition… and it sounds great too. St. Thomas is now fully recognized as a Division I member, eligible for postseason play, with trophies displayed proudly and construction cranes still active on campus. Unlike many programs that struggle for years after moving up levels, the Tommies found an even better position.
From Isolation to Growth
The story of their journey fits right into realignment history. In May 2019, after dominating at a level that others believed was unsustainable, St. Thomas faced an “involuntary removal” from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Many expected them to land softly in Division II; however, Esten-just five months into his role as athletic director and fresh from experience at Ohio State, Minnesota, Cal, and Penn State-had another vision. “When you look at the trajectory of this university over the last 50 years, Division I was what was next,” he said. St. Thomas had transitioned from college to university status, evolved from being all-male to co-ed while adding campuses in Minneapolis and Rome; they opened a downtown business school and introduced law programs along with engineering and health studies. When evaluated beyond just its nameplate-with strong academics leading to good outcomes like job placements-the institution resembled schools like Marquette, Creighton, Dayton or even Villanova; only its logo didn’t fit. In 2020, the NCAA granted a waiver allowing St. Thomas to leap directly from Division III to Division I status. Eighteen sports joined the Summit League while football joined the Pioneer Football League; women’s hockey entered WCHA while men’s hockey became part of CCHA. The Tommies made history by being recognized as the only NCAA member ever reclassifying straight from D-III to D-I under current regulations.Constructing at Division I Level
Major changes are expected to stretch limits. “We never had to break old habits,” he said. “We started fresh.” This meant building scholarships from scratch as compliance couldn’t just be another office nearby but needed integration within culture itself. Sport administration evolved into foundational support rather than merely titles held by individuals. Esten revamped department structures into five core segments : Administration , Development , Internal Operations , External Affairs , and Student-Athlete Welfare & Development. The aim wasn’t simply replicating Power Four structures but establishing themselves effectively on day one as if already mature within this space. This required making campus actively engaged partners. Division I travel changed class schedules drastically-from local day trips turning instead towards coast-to-coast excursions. Faculty contributed heavily shaping policies around missed classes/priority registration enabling athletes appropriate scheduling flexibility around flights/practices instead of vice versa. Additionally, Esten emphasized having strong Faculty Athletics Representatives proved “crucial” during transition success. Tommie athletes boasted impressive stats: averaging GPA of 3.42 -three-tenths above overall student body-and achieving remarkable Graduation Success Rate sitting comfortably near ninety-five percent! No significant change occurs without some bumps along roads traveled. “There are moments when missions seem to collide,” Esten stated.”You work through them. Alignment spanning trustees, president,&athletics is vital.” This harmony began radiating outward. A year post-transition other units initiated discussions aimed toward enhancing their areas’ feeling of embracing more high-level standards vs financial aspects alone!Nurturing Growth
If pressed about realignment prospects concerning Tommies, Esten stays composed. “The grass is greenest where you water it,” he remarked. The Tommies embrace all four leagues they’re involved with striving towards becoming valuable contributors everywhere they go! Win consistently within Summit. Combat competitively inside Pioneer. Properly nurture hockey development going forward! Should musical chairs shift again down line-St. Tomas aims for stability rather than restlessness ! The numbers support claims he’s staying on track. In first four seasons competing under Divison I umbrella, Tommie teams clinched four conference titles. Men’s basketball surged impressively racking up nineteen wins second-year whilst contending fiercely for league crown. Meanwhile, mens’ hockey advanced deep reaching finals. Football captured championship title taking place among top twenty-five rankings ! Despite assumptions surrounding painful growth periods-they’ve been anything but headline-worthy achievements!Funding as Momentum
Athletic facilities were once considered arms races according tothe past perspectives. Esten describes them now merely table stakes. Recruits focus less on what exists than identifying gaps present. St. Tomas decided against complacency opting instead sprint ahead. The university revealed plans launching $183 million Lee & Penny Anderson Arena backed primarily through generous donations amounting $75 million thought largest single athletics contribution recorded throughout Minnesota’s history nationally speaking too! This venue offers modern homes for both basketball/hockey teams plus grants premium assets available sponsors/fans alike! Equally vital? Source matters. “It’s almost exclusively private philanthropy,” Esten noted. Five years ago, the department kicked off its inaugural annual fund known as1904 Club alongside points system designed clarifying access rewards structure. An advisory group raised$15 million initiating funds facilitating smoother transitionsfrom D-IIIto D-I. Since2019 athletics generated nearly$200million focusing across facility upgrades, support scholarships&operations. Ticket sales show positive trends multimedia revenues lagging slightly yet arena improvements already shifting conversations opening opportunities previously unavailable! Investment extends beyond mere walls/seats. “If we’re going be successful, we need ensure our student-athletes receive experiences equivalent D-I level,” he explained further!”That encompasses strength training facilities, recovery zones, nutrition hubs locker rooms coaching staff dedicated supporting those needs. On flip side our fans also expect similarly high-quality experiences attending events given entertainment choices available which ultimately translates yielding returns reinvested back ensuring continuous enhancement experiences offered students!”Wider Horizons
Esten recognizes essential relationship between athletic developments institutional progress noting timing proves critical. “During transitions we frequently discussed student populations currently facing looming enrollment cliff moment,”he commented.”How do limit exposure risk regarding enrollment impacts entire institution? Well one optimal tools wield national visibility comes via athletic platforms.” He divides benefits three categories:- “First allows strategic alumni engagement unprecedented levels.”Esten noted.”Playing football San Diego Harvard, basketball Creighton, women’s hockey Washington, D. C., softball Oklahoma enhances engagement strategically linking academic initiatives not achievable before.”
- “Secondly leverage earned media efficiently.”Football recently played Stetson thus Central Florida gained media presence Friday through Sunday framing opportunities showcase stories surrounding not solely athletics showcasing broader triumphs occurring Saint Thomass identity.”
- “Thirdly utilize recruitment strategies-not limited solely attracting athletes enables tool overall enrollment initiatives effectively advancing.”
Esten views division one experience serves platform stabilizing private universities amidst ongoing higher education shifts around market dynamics!
The Maestro
Estens background circles back home city Saint Paul. Here he played baseball later earning masters degree Ohio State subsequently obtaining Ph D kinesiology University Minnesota managing ticket operations crafting strategic blueprints overseeing TCF Bank Stadium project completion directing external units Berkeley operations College Park!
If asked about lesser-known tidbit he’d surprise anyone would likely circle back piano self-taught guitar picked up college since mom wouldn’t allow hauling grand piano dorm room. Best nights spent playing until silence blankets house. Composing reflects resets rhythms become habits encapsulating essence defining what’s achieved not merely crescendos but systematic practices sustaining consistency.”
