On October 15, 2026, the Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team will host the Wisconsin Badgers in an exhibition that promises to showcase the growing prominence of the program on a national stage.
The matchup is more than a scheduling curiosity; it reflects the steady ascent of a university that has, under the guidance of Director of Athletics Josh Moon, redefined expectations for mid‑major basketball.
A Decade of Leadership
Moon, who arrived in 2021, recently signed a contract extension that runs through 2031, cementing his long‑term commitment to the university's athletic vision. His tenure has been marked by a series of strategic initiatives that have elevated both the competitiveness of the teams and the academic profile of the student‑athlete experience.
Under his leadership, the Phoenix women's basketball squad captured back‑to‑back Horizon League regular‑season championships, while every one of the university's 14 athletic programs posted a cumulative GPA above 3.25, peaking at 3.66 in the spring of 2026.
Beyond the Scoreboard
The impact of Moon's stewardship extends into community engagement, sponsorship growth, and ticket‑sale increases that have revitalized the campus atmosphere. Six coaches have earned Horizon League Coach of the Year honors during his tenure, a testament to the depth of talent cultivated across the department.
Moon shares his life with his wife Andria, and they are parents to two sons, Brady and Kellen. A native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Moon completed his undergraduate studies at UW‑La Crosse before earning a master's degree from Central Michigan University, where he also played football.
Looking Forward
The upcoming exhibition against the Badgers offers a tangible benchmark for the Phoenix's progress and a preview of what could become a recurring tradition of high‑profile matchups. As the university moves toward 2031, the synergy between athletic ambition and academic excellence appears poised to continue its upward trajectory.