SIU Athletic Director Mario Moccia is one of two finalists for the New Mexico State University athletic director position according to an article on Collegead.com.

The other finalist is Rory Hickok, the deputy director of athletics at Nevada, according to the article.

Moccia said he could not comment on the number of finalists, but said he had been contacted by New Mexico State.

Current New Mexico State Athletic Director McKinley Boston has been at NMSU since Dec. 14, 2004. Boston’s contract runs out Dec. 31, according to an article on kvia.com. His contract was set to expire in August, but was extended until the university finds a replacement.

Moccia graduated from New Mexico State in 1989, where he was a member of the Aggies’ baseball team and two-time team MVP. Moccia was a preseason All-American his senior year.

He was inducted into the New Mexico State Athletics hall of fame in 1998.

“I’m very flattered that my alma mater reached out to me about the director of athletics position,” Moccia said.

Moccia said despite being contacted by New Mexico State he is still focused on his duties at SIU.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff going on at SIU,” he said. “Our final home football game and senior day is Saturday and playoffs are on the line. We’ve got our first basketball game in St. Louis, we’ve got a lot of people going to that. And the tragic and unfortunate passing of doctor Sarvela.”

Moccia has been the athletic director at SIU since 2006. In Moccia’s time at SIU, new football, basketball, baseball and track facilities have been built. He also helped bring on Under Armour as the official apparel provider for Saluki Athletics.

This is not the first time Moccia’s name has been brought up for other athletic director positions.

An article published by the Daily Egyptian on Aug. 14 states Moccia was a finalist for the Athletic Director position at Georgia State University.

Charlie Cobb, the former athletic director at Appalachian State, was chosen for the position instead.