Mitch Capelle joined Lenoir-Rhyne University as Senior Associate Athletic Director in June, 2025, bringing more than two decades of experience in collegiate athletics administration, external relations, and strategic leadership to the Bears' senior administrative team.
In his role with the Bears, Capelle provides senior-level assistance for the department both internally and externally with a focus on strategic communications, revenue generation, sport supervision, facilities and special projects.
Capelle came to Hickory after a highly successful administrative career that included serving as Director of Athletics at Colby-Sawyer College (2020–23), where he led the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and guided six teams to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championships. During his tenure, the department saw historic competitive success and notable external growth, including the college’s first NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant, a department-wide apparel deal with BSN/Under Armour, and a comprehensive video streaming partnership with HUDL/Blueframe.
He most recently served as Associate Athletic Director at Saint Anselm College, where he held senior leadership responsibilities for external relations, branding, and strategic initiatives supporting the Hawks’ NCAA Division II programs. Among his accomplishments were record-breaking fundraising campaigns, the reestablishment of the college’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and the launch of a licensing program and online merchandise platform.
Capelle’s background also includes significant experience in sports information, having led communications efforts at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for eight years. Throughout his career, he has been involved in apparel and licensing partnerships, donor engagement programs, and conference and NCAA leadership roles. He also helped establish the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance (NEWHA), serving as Associate Commissioner and Director of Communications.
A native of Medford, Wis., Capelle holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wisconsin Lutheran College (2004) and a master’s in sports management from Southern New Hampshire University (2018). He is a member of College Sports Communicators (CSC, formerly CoSIDA) and has served on several NCAA and conference-level committees.
He and his wife, Danielle, have two daughters, Evelyn (12) and Eleanor (10),
