Joe Tolbert came to Missouri State in February of 2025 as the primary Equipment Manager for Bears Athletics.
He came to Missouri State after serving three years as the Assistant Equipment Manager for Olympic Sports at App State from April of 2022 until coming to Springfield in 2025.
He previously served as head Football Equipment Manager at Kennesaw State, where he was responsible for organizing the maintenance of all football equipment, including protective equipment, uniforms, and apparel for Owls football.
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Prior to Kennesaw State, Tolbert spent two seasons as the Director of Equipment at Northwestern State (2017-19), two years as a volunteer Equipment Manager at South Alabama (2015-17), and one season as the Athletic Equipment intern at Towson (2014-15).
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He holds a Bachelor of Science in Leisure Studies and Recreation Administration from the University of South Alabama in 2014 and is certified through the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA).
He and his wife, Kelsey, have a daughter, Payton, and a son, Ollie.
