NEW ULM, Minn. - Martin Luther College has announced Hans Steinbrenner as its new Athletic Director.

"We are very thankful that God has brought us, in Hans, a new athletic director with years of experience in athletic leadership at the professional level," MLC president Rich Gurgel said. "We look forward to the blessings God will use Hans to bring to our campus as he uses Hans' skills and experience to help us strengthen how athletics serves the mission of our college as we raise up men and women 'Knighted for Ministry.'"

Steinbrenner brings a wealth of high-level experience in sports management, most recently as the president of the Osceola Magic, the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. He led the organization's business operations, including strategic growth initiatives. 

He had been with the Magic organization since 2019. He said he hopes to use his experience to support MLC coaches and athletes.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to support coaches and staff while helping student-athletes grow into Christ-centered leaders who will one day teach, preach and serve communities across the world," Steinbrenner said.

Steinbrenner spent 12 years in total in leadership roles across the G League, including with the Wisconsin Herd, Austin Spurs and Idaho Stampede.

Steinbrenner grew up in Boise, Idaho, where his father started a mission church, Cross of Christ Lutheran. He then attended the University of Utah, where he worked with the men's basketball program until 2014, earning a degree in Mathematics.

Steinbrenner has numerous family connections to MLC. His mother (Carrie) and sister (Tarah) are alumni of the college. His father, John, attended Northwestern, which was amalgamated with DMLC in 1995 into MLC. While at Northwestern, John was a four-year letterman as a pitcher, point guard and quarterback.

Those connections inspired him to pursue the AD position in New Ulm.

"I hope to strengthen the coaching and student-athlete experience while increasing visibility through innovative marketing, storytelling, social media engagement, community partnerships and enhanced fan experiences - all while remaining centered on the college's mission," Steinbrenner said.