Derek Almanza joined Arizona Athletics in 2025 and serves as Assistant Director of Athletic Facilities, supporting the operations, maintenance, and event execution for the Wildcats’ athletic venues. In his role, Almanza oversees daily facility readiness, collaborates with coaches and internal departments, and helps deliver exceptional game-day experiences for student-athletes, staff, and fans.
Before arriving in Tucson, Almanza spent nearly three years at the University of Missouri as an Events & Facilities Coordinator, where he managed operations across several major SEC venues and coordinated logistics for high-profile athletic events. His background also includes NCAA compliance work at Idaho State University and several years of service in the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter, where he developed the leadership, communication, and composure under pressure that shape his work today.
Almanza holds a Master of Education in Athletic Administration from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from the University of Jamestown. A former student-athlete and team captain, he remains passionate about leadership development, community engagement, and supporting student-athletes on and off the field.
