J Locklier returned to Butler in July of 2024 in the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development.
“Generating increased support for our department broadly, and NIL specifically, is critical to our ability to elevate our competitiveness in the BIG EAST, PFL, and national landscape,” said Butler Vice President and Director of Athletics Grant Leiendecker. “We are excited to bring J back to Butler to oversee our development efforts; he is a proven fundraiser who builds relationships and values the mission of our university.”
Locklier will lead the Butler Athletics development staff, prioritizing major gifts and annual support of Butler Athletics through Bulldog Club giving, as well as continuing the successful partnership with All Good Dawgs, the purpose-driven collective established to support Butler student-athletes.
Locklier returns to Butler after serving as a major gift officer for university advancement and athletics from 2011-14. During his time at Butler, Locklier solicited support for History, Heart, Hinkle: The Campaign for Hinkle Fieldhouse and the $35 million preservation and renovation of the historic fieldhouse.
Locklier arrived at Butler after serving in the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development at Bradley since 2021. He served on the athletics senior staff and had oversight of all Bradley Athletics fundraising activities and the Bradley Wheels Club. In addition to his leadership roles at Butler and Bradley, Locklier has also held fundraising positions at Kent State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, and James Madison.
The 2001 Pac-10 Conference Newcomer of the Year, Locklier earned Pac-10 All-Academic First Team honors in 2002 as a member of the Washington State University Cougars program, where he also earned the University’s President’s Award for excellence in leadership, academics and community service. Locklier began his collegiate basketball career at Miami University (Ohio) where he was a member of the Redhawks 1998-99 MAC Regular Season Championship team that later advanced to the 1999 NCAA Tournament "Sweet Sixteen."
Following his professional playing career, which included the 2002 training camp with the NBA’s Boston Celtics as well as stints in Germay, Greece, the NBA Developmental League, The Netherlands and Argentina, Locklier began his fundraising career as a graduate assistant at Washington State University in 2005, while completing his master’s degree in athletic administration.
At Kent State as the Associate Athletic Director for Development and Executive Director of the Golden Flashes Club (2018-21), he managed all KSU Athletics fundraising efforts in addition to serving in leadership roles within Athletics and KSU Institutional Advancement. He also served as sport administrator for the Kent State women’s lacrosse team.
Prior to joining Kent State, Locklier was responsible for the major gifts efforts at the University of Cincinnati from 2014-18. Serving as Assistant AD for Major Gifts, Locklier managed a major gift team that solicited gifts in support of the $87 million renovation of Fifth Third Arena, the $85 million renovation of Nippert Stadium, and other programmatic and UC athletic endowment needs.
Prior to Butler, Locklier held fundraising positions at West Virginia University (2007-10) and James Madison University (2005-07) working with annual fund solicitations, major gifts, planned giving, and special events.
Locklier earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University in 2001, as well as his master’s in higher education/athletic administration from WSU in 2005. He went on to earn his MBA with an emphasis in leadership from Butler University in 2014.
Locklier and his wife, Olivia, are both graduates of Butler’s MBA program.
