Ian Applegate joined the American staff in August of 2022. He previously served as assistant director of communications and was promoted to his current role of director of communications in 2025.
Applegate serves as the conference’s primary media contact for a number of sports, including women’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, softball and men’s and women’s track and field. He also is a key part of the conference's creative and visual branding efforts.
Applegate joined the American staff after serving as assistant director of communications at UT Arlington since 2019.
Applegate previously was assistant director of athletics for communications at Seward County Community College. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana and added a master’s degree from Ball State.