Jon Garver is in his second year as a major gift officer with the UW-Superior Alumni and Friends Foundation, a position he began in June 2025. In this position, Garver will maintain a portfolio of donors to the university, including those focused on Yellowjacket Athletics. He will also leverage his experience in the local business community to continue growing relationships and Yellowjacket Athletics corporate partnerships.
Previously, Garver served as the director of athletic communications at UW-Superior from June 2010 to June 2025.
Additionally, 2026-27 will be Garver's 27th season as play-by-play announcer for the Yellowjacket men's hockey team on 91.3 FM KUWS and Yellowjacket TV. In 2018-19 he expanded his broadcast offerings to include volleyball, women's hockey, baseball and softball. With more than 600 broadcasts to his credit, Garver has won five broadcast awards from the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Association, including first place in the category of Best Sports Play-by-Play in 2025.
Garver came to UW-Superior following three years as the director of communications for the United States Hockey League (2006-2009). There, Garver was responsible for designing all of the league's publications and promotional materials, disseminating information, statistical compilation, and representing the league at national trade shows and showcases. Previously, Garver spent three years (2001-2004) as the USHL's assistant commissioner where he oversaw the league marketing committee, organized league events like the entry draft and all-star game, and assisted the commissioner with the daily operation of the league.
Garver worked at UW-Superior as an assistant men's hockey coach during the 2000-01 season. He was also the assistant director of campus recreation in charge of Wessman Arena from 2004 until 2006. During that time he served as assistant men's hockey coach, as well.
For four seasons Garver was a forward on the Yellowjacket men's hockey team. From 1994-1998 he appeared in 111 games for the Yellowjackets and played on three teams that reached the NCAA Division III Ice Hockey Championships. He was a team captain as a senior and twice was named to the NCHA All-Academic Team.
Garver was inducted into the UW-Superior Athletic Hall of Fame in 2026, receiving the Carl Vergamini Award for contributions to Yellowjacket Athletics. He had previously been inducted as a member of the 1996-97 men's hockey team that was the national runner-up, as well as 2000-01 men's hockey team, on which he served as an assistant coach.
Locally, Garver is enmeshed in the Superior community. He has been a member of the Superior Optimist Club since 2018, and previously was a member of the Superior Jaycees. He has volunteered and collaborated on multiple initiatives with the Chamber of Superior and Douglas County, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank and Hunger Takes No Holiday. He has served as a youth sports coach with he YMCA of Superior and Douglas County as well as the Superior Amateur Hockey Association (SAHA) and is currently is the vice president of SAHA.
In 2025, Garver was named to the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Committee, a capacity he will serve in until 2029.
A native of Chisholm, Minn., Garver earned his Bachelor of Science degree in sports management from UW-Superior in 1998, then completed his Master's Degree in mass communication at UW-Superior in 2000. He and his wife Allison reside in Superior with their son, Teddy.
