Coming Full Circle

After graduating from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science in marketing in 1983, Joaquin Hidalgo spent almost three decades working for Nike. He rose through the ranks, retiring in 2016 as the president and general manager of Nike North America.

UD Vice President and Director of Athletics Neil Sullivan described how Hidalgo’s work experience and his time as a Flyer soccer player was the perfect recipe for his targeted support. “We’re extremely grateful that Joaquin chose to invest in our student-athletes. He is in a unique position to understand how critical athlete performance and brand presentation are to college sports, having experience as an executive at Nike and being a former college athlete,” he said. “This project serves both purposes.”

As with so many alumni, Hidalgo’s impactful investment is tied back to his personal experience at UD — and his desire to give back. “As an alumnus, I feel that I received so much from the University of Dayton which impacted my life and career. I feel privileged to have attended UD and to have had a very fulfilling and rewarding career at Nike. I’ve truly come full circle and want to give back to those who have helped me along the way.”