Steve Gearhart joined the UNI staff in October 2002 when he became the Assistant Athletic Director for Development. He was promoted to senior associate AD for administration and development in 2006. Gearhart is responsible for major gift, facility and endowment scholarship fundraising.

Previously, Gearhartt served as assisant athletics director for development at the University of Idaho, which he held since May 2000. He also worked at Drake University as the Director of Athletic Development for two years.

He graduated in 1987 from the University of Northern Iowa with an undergraduate degree in Public Relations with a minor in Business and Journalism. While at UNI, he was a member of the track and cross country teams, earning all-conference honors. He received his master's in Sport Administration in 1989 from Kent State University, where he was the Assistant to the Athletic Business Manager.

He and his wife, Shelly, reside in Cedar Falls and have two children - Allie and Seb.