Jon Fagg, UTA’s new director of athletics, leaves his first leadership meeting carrying a small statue of Sisyphus, the Greek figure cursed by the gods to push a boulder up a hill for eternity. As we walk into his office, he explains what the story of Sisyphus means to him: doing the work and making the best of it while you’re at it, no matter the circumstance.
“At the very least, Sisyphus was probably in great shape,” he says, laughing, as he places the statue on a shelf near his desk.
It’s a thought-provoking symbol for Fagg to share with his team just before a new academic year kicks off in Maverick Country. It’s a significant start for many reasons: Not only is it his first year as director, it’s also UTA’s first semester back in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), and many new head coaches are on board to lead teams to victory.
Thankfully, Fagg notes, all the ingredients are there for Mavericks to reign supreme in the WAC.
“You know when you move into a new house, and you start noticing the tiny cracks you need to repair or the areas you want to upgrade? That hasn’t happened here at all,” he says. “Since I’ve been here, the excellence keeps building on itself. The upside is really the upside at UTA.”
A seasoned leader in college athletics, Fagg most recently served as deputy athletics director at the University of Arkansas, where he assisted the vice chancellor and director of athletics in a variety of duties. During his tenure there, he was an instrumental member of the university’s capital campaign, which raised approximately $220 million for the department. In 2021-22 alone, the Razorbacks claimed 18 Southeastern Conference championships.
Having spent much of his career at Power Five—or what would come to be considered Power Five—schools, Fagg says he brings with him the spirit and competitiveness those schools foster.
“It’s the competitiveness, and it’s that sense of commitment, that belief that athletics has a rightful place in education,” he adds. “Our athletes are the kinds of students you want at a university—diligent and hardworking, choosing to take on the extra responsibility that comes when you dedicate yourself to a sport. Athletics is also great for a university because it’s a shared point of connection for every member of the community.”
Going forward, Fagg has a big to-do list in front of him. Primary on that list? Making sure the conditions are right to ensure that everyone—his athletes, the student body, faculty, staff, and alumni—is ready to make lasting memories with UTA Athletics.
“We need to boost the relationship between athletics and campus. From there, we need to ensure the athletics experience is memorable for everyone,” he says. “After all, that’s why we do this—it’s about forming those connections with each other and making memories that will stay with us.
“And it’s about winning,” he acknowledges with a laugh. “Of course, a big piece of that’s going to be winning.”
