University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Mourn the Passing of Former Administrator, Student-Athlete Tom Moe
2/20/2026 3:43:00 PM | Athletics
Moe was a two-sport star at Minnesota and later served as the Director of Minnesota’s Men’s Athletic Department
Former University of Minnesota administrator and student-athlete Tom Moe passed away on February 15, 2026, his family shared with Gopher Athletics. Moe was 87 years old.
Moe was a standout multi-sport student-athlete at Minnesota in the late 1950s and early 1960s, who then returned to the University to serve as the Director of Minnesota's Men's Athletic Department in 1999. In between his time with the Gophers, he was a successful lawyer and businessman. In his personal life, he had the privilege of watching several family members compete in numerous sports for the Gophers.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the Moe family during this difficult time," said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "Tom was a tremendous man who cared deeply about the University and Gopher Athletics. He was the football team's MVP, a baseball national champion, the athletic director and helped bring Gopher football back to campus. He was also able to watch his children and grandchildren compete for Minnesota and represent their University and state. Tom's legacy, and that of the Moe family, is unmatched, and we will keep everyone in our thoughts."
Moe was a receiver for the football team from 1957-59, and he led the team in receiving yards in 1958 before being named Team MVP in 1959.
He also played baseball at Minnesota from 1958-60. He had a .330 career batting average and was a member of the 1960 NCAA national championship team.
Moe graduated from Minnesota in 1960 with a degree in economics and then from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1963.
He joined the Twin Cities-based Dorsey & Whitney law firm, becoming partner in 1968. Moe became Chairman of the Policy Committee and managing partner of the firm in 1989, and he served in those roles for 10 years. Under his leadership, the firm expanded and became the 25th largest firm in the nation.
In 1999, Moe was named Interim Director of Minnesota's Men's Athletic Department. He was named to the full-time position a year later and remained there until 2002. His emphasis was always on the "student" part of student-athlete and he helped navigate the successful merger of the men's and women's athletic departments.
During his tenure, he also played a critical role in laying the groundwork for an on-campus football stadium, which would open in 2009. Moe's advocacy and passion helped pave the way for a generation of fans and student-athletes to experience the excitement and pageantry of on-campus college football.
Two of Moe's children – son Michael and daughter Jennie – were student-athletes for the Gophers. Michael played football and Jennie authored one of the most successful tennis careers in school history. Jennie's husband – Moe's son-in-law – Bob Coughlin also played football for Minnesota.
Three of Moe's grandsons played football for the Gophers in Carter Coughlin, Quinn Coughlin and Cole Kramer and fellow grandson Mason Moe is a current member of the men's hockey team.
Moe was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2000 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also served on corporate and civic boards, was inducted into the Edina High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named 2000 "Lawyer of the Year" by Law and Politics Magazine.
Moe was a standout multi-sport student-athlete at Minnesota in the late 1950s and early 1960s, who then returned to the University to serve as the Director of Minnesota's Men's Athletic Department in 1999. In between his time with the Gophers, he was a successful lawyer and businessman. In his personal life, he had the privilege of watching several family members compete in numerous sports for the Gophers.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the Moe family during this difficult time," said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. "Tom was a tremendous man who cared deeply about the University and Gopher Athletics. He was the football team's MVP, a baseball national champion, the athletic director and helped bring Gopher football back to campus. He was also able to watch his children and grandchildren compete for Minnesota and represent their University and state. Tom's legacy, and that of the Moe family, is unmatched, and we will keep everyone in our thoughts."
Moe was a receiver for the football team from 1957-59, and he led the team in receiving yards in 1958 before being named Team MVP in 1959.
He also played baseball at Minnesota from 1958-60. He had a .330 career batting average and was a member of the 1960 NCAA national championship team.
Moe graduated from Minnesota in 1960 with a degree in economics and then from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1963.
He joined the Twin Cities-based Dorsey & Whitney law firm, becoming partner in 1968. Moe became Chairman of the Policy Committee and managing partner of the firm in 1989, and he served in those roles for 10 years. Under his leadership, the firm expanded and became the 25th largest firm in the nation.
In 1999, Moe was named Interim Director of Minnesota's Men's Athletic Department. He was named to the full-time position a year later and remained there until 2002. His emphasis was always on the "student" part of student-athlete and he helped navigate the successful merger of the men's and women's athletic departments.
During his tenure, he also played a critical role in laying the groundwork for an on-campus football stadium, which would open in 2009. Moe's advocacy and passion helped pave the way for a generation of fans and student-athletes to experience the excitement and pageantry of on-campus college football.
Two of Moe's children – son Michael and daughter Jennie – were student-athletes for the Gophers. Michael played football and Jennie authored one of the most successful tennis careers in school history. Jennie's husband – Moe's son-in-law – Bob Coughlin also played football for Minnesota.
Three of Moe's grandsons played football for the Gophers in Carter Coughlin, Quinn Coughlin and Cole Kramer and fellow grandson Mason Moe is a current member of the men's hockey team.
Moe was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2000 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also served on corporate and civic boards, was inducted into the Edina High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and was named 2000 "Lawyer of the Year" by Law and Politics Magazine.
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