SMU Athletics

Josh Whittenburg joined the SMU Athletics staff in September 2017 and currently serves as Associate Athletic Director for Development, overseeing the day-to-day fundraising operations for SMU Athletics. Since arriving on the Hilltop, he has held three key roles—Director of Athletics Annual Giving, Assistant AD for Development, and now Associate AD. Whittenburg serves on the Athletic Director’s Senior Team and previously served on the ACC Transition Team. He leads a team of 11 development professionals, serves as sport administrator for the nationally ranked, four-time conference champion SMU Rowing team, and supports the 30-member Mustang Club Board of Directors. In recognition of his leadership and impact, Whittenburg was named the 2024 University Fundraiser of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD). 

Under his direction, the Mustang Club has achieved historic results, including SMU’s highest-grossing fundraising year on record with more than $159 million in cash gifts and commitments and $55 million in cash receipts for FY24. In FY25, he again led the department to a record year for cash received, totaling more than $65 million. Since his arrival, Mustang Club membership has more than tripled—from 2,048 in 2020 to 6,158 in 2025—while annual cash giving has grown from $18 million to $65 million. 

Whittenburg has played a central role in six major capital campaigns totaling over $150 million, including the Payne Stewart SMU Golf Training Center, Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr-McMillion Natatorium, Armstrong Fieldhouse, Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium, Holt Hickman Outdoor Pool, and the Garry Weber End Zone Complex. 

Prior to SMU, Whittenburg held positions in development and ticket sales at Texas State University, sports information at the University of Miami, media relations at the Orange Bowl Committee, and premium seating hospitality at LSU. 

A native of Gretna, Louisiana, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from LSU in 2007 and a Master of Science in education with a concentration in sport administration from the University of Miami in 2011. He is an active member of NAADD and has served as a featured panelist at the Sport Administrator’s Leadership Institute (SALI). 

Whittenburg resides in Dallas with his wife, Emily, and their three sons—Myles, Hayes, and Silas.