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July 28, 2014

EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

EIU and Adidas have entered into a five-year partnership. Adidas will be the official athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand of EIU through the 2019 season. Adidas will also supply the EIU athletic programs with all game and practice uniforms, travel and practice gear, starting this Fall. Interim AD Dan Nadler said EIU Athletics has been successful past few years, and “it is only fitting that we start a new partnership with one of the most iconic names in sports.”

WASHINGTON COLLEGE

Thad Moore is the College/University Athletic Trainers’ Committee athletic trainer of the year for NCAA Division III. He has been the head trainer at Washington College since 2000. He was promoted from Assistant AD to Associate AD in 2010. Each year the College/University Athletic Trainers’ Committee of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association recognizes the exceptional performance of one head trainer in each of the collegiate divisions. -MyEasternShoreMD-

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Farris has been tabbed as assistant athletic director. The veteran coach will maintain his position as headman of the baseball team as well. Farris recently completed his eighth season at the helm of the Tigers and is the second winningest coach in program history behind 2013 Northeast Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ray Scott. Farris’ teams have consistently qualified for the MACJC State Playoffs since he came to Northeast from Columbus High School before the 2007 campaign.

SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY

SUU Athletics announced the hiring of Jenna Ayers as the new Senior Woman Administrator. Ayers most recently served on coaching staff of the SUU softball team that captured its first Big Sky Conference championship this past season. She has also worked with the athletics department’s strength and conditioning program since 2012. Prior to arrival at Southern Utah, she was a coach, teacher and administrator at St. Bernard High School in California.

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

The EMU Athletics Department named Christian Spears as its Deputy Athletics Director, announced today by Athletics Director Heather Lyke. His first official day will be on Aug. 11. Spears arrives in Ypsilanti following a five-year tenure in the Northern Illinois University Athletics Department where he most recently served as the Deputy AD and as the sport administrator for the NIU football team.

CHS AND LEARFIELD

CHS Inc. – the nation’s leading cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company — will embark on a highly integrated collegiate sports sponsorship platform with 24 Division I universities in 19 states designed to reach the farmer-owned cooperative’s rural owners and customers. The platform centers on college football season and will be driven primarily through digital and social media assets. Learfield Sports secured the multi-year CHS partnership on behalf of its 22 university partners involved.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Mike Roberts joins softball program as its pitching and catching coach, head coach Heather Tarr announced Thursday. Roberts comes to Seattle from the University of Oregon, where he spent the 2014 season on the Ducks’ pitching coach. At Oregon, Roberts helped the Ducks to a 56-9-1 overall record, a 20-3-1 Pac-12 mark and the conference title. Prior to Oregon, he spent three seasons coaching the pitchers and catchers at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

The University of Miami’s Hurricane Club has set a new membership record, eclipsing more than 7,000 active members for the 2014 calendar year. This represents a more than 55 percent growth in active membership since 2010, and this amount has helped UM Athletics reach its fiscal year goal of $9.8 million in support for the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund, which helps provide scholarship and operational funding for more than 400+ current student-athletes.

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE

After an incredibly successful year for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns athletics, local fans and University of Louisiana at Lafayette coaches are getting together to party Aug. 23 at this year’s annual Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Celebration. The fan-organized event aimed at boosting coaches’ salaries gives fans a chance to eat, drink and socialize with the school’s coaching staff. More than 60 sponsors have bought tickets and pledged money and auction items to the event. -Seth Dickerson

TROY UNIVERSITY

Athletics Director John Hartwell announced Friday the promotion of four athletics administrators while welcoming back another member of his team. Sandy Atkins was elevated to Senior Associate AD for Internal Relations in addition to her Senior Woman Administrator role. Tony Ferrante is the new Associate AD for Operations, Kit Alewine is the new Assistant AD for Compliance, and Adam Prendergast is the new Assistant AD for Media Relations. Mike Frigge rejoins the Troy staff as Assistant AD for Operations after leaving briefly for a position at the University of Cincinnati.

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

This winter, the university will break ground on $19 million in upgrades to Sea Gull Stadium, which houses the football, field hockey and the men’s and women’s lacrosse programs. The renovation — which will take the stadium from its current seating by 2,800 seats — will add bathrooms, an athletic training clinic, ticket booths, concession stands and storage. This renovation will raise the status of the facilities to reflect the stature of the programs that play at Sea Gull Stadium. -Shawn Yonker-

FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

Fitchburg State seeks an Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director to assist the Director of Athletics with the organization and administration of the intercollegiate athletics program. Apply here by August 18th.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Arkansas seeks an Assistant Director for Marketing and Promotions to serve as the primary marketing and fan development coordinator for assigned sports. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA

UNI seeks an Assistant Director of Athletic Marketing to develop and oversee the marketing plans and fan experience for at least two sports as determined by the Associate Director for External Affairs. Apply here by August 11th for full consideration.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Sources tell College AD that Jeff Latinen will be named the new Operations Manager of the Breslin Center at Michigan State University. Latinen is currently the Director of Operations for the Student Fitness Center at the University of Detroit Mercy, having held the position since Septermber 2012. This is Latinen’s second stint at Michigan State University, having been the Assistant Arena Manager in 2005.

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

Sources tell College AD that Chris Lansdell returns to KU as the new Senior Director of Marketing and Fan Experience. Lansdell is currently the Marketing Director at Auburn University, having held the position since November. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing at Northwestern State University. Having served several positions at KU between 2006 and2012, this is his second stint.

July 27, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Illinois seeks a Senior Associate Athletic Director, External Operations to provide strategic leadership, planning, direction and financial management for all external departments. Apply here by July 31st.

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

JMU seeks an Assistant Athletic Director – Major Gifts to be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting individuals for major gifts and leadership-level annual fund contributions. The review of applications will begin August 7th and the position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

USD seeks an Assistant Director of Athletics for Development to manage all aspects of the Annual Fund, working directly with sports program coaches to develop and implement strategies to achieve individual team fundraising goals. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY

LeTourneau seeks an Assistant Baseball Coach/Athletic Field Groundskeeper to be responsible for assisting with all phases of the baseball program, as well as the general field maintenance of five athletic fields. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more information on applying, contact head baseball coach Robin Harriss.

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

Towson seeks a Media Relations Intern to support the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Marketing and Communications with administrative and fiscal operations for athletics communications. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here. (#101408)

July 26, 2014

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

NDSU seeks a Multimedia Coordinator to assist the media relations and marketing staff with video requests to supplement media coverage and promotional activities, coordinate game day staff for video and audio streaming, and other duties as assigned. Apply here by July 30th.

MERCER UNIVERSITY

Mercer seeks a Mercer Athletic Foundation Graduate Assistant to assist with the coordination and execution of donor benefit mailings, provide excellent customer service on the phone and on game day with donors, alums, and visitors, and serve as the main point of contact for special Athletic Foundation events. The search will begin immediately and remain open until filled. For more information on applying, contact the Mercer Athletic Foundation.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN

UTPB seeks an Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Community Relations to be responsible for planning and supervising all athletic department marketing activities; overseeing the sports information director’s activities related to community engagement activities, marketing, and promotion; and other duties as assigned. The start date is September 1st. Apply here.

ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

SJU seeks an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications to be responsible for various duties involving sports coverage, publications, media relations, and mentorship. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND

Richmond seeks an Assistant Director of Athletics/Marketing & Fan Development to be responsible for the generation of revenue through ticket sales and for increasing attendance and creating a positive and exciting game day atmosphere. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

July 25, 2014

PAC-12

Pac-12 Networks announced today that it will distribute Pac-12 Networks sports programming to international audiences through a new YouTube paid channel scheduled to launch in late August. Pac-12 Networks becomes the first live streaming 24×7 subscription sports channel on YouTube. The new channel will distribute the Pac-12 Network feed as well as Video On Demand content to 27 countries at launch, expanding to additional countries over time. Pac-12 Networks will stream 850 live events this year. -Pac-12 Networks PR-

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

USD has tabbed Northwestern University’s Joe Thuente as its new director of marketing and promotions. Thuente will begin at USD on Aug. 12. At Northwestern, Thuente is responsible for marketing, promotions and event management for volleyball, women’s basketball, wrestling, softball and field hockey. He recently set program records for single-game and season-long attendance and revenue in volleyball, wrestling and baseball.

HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY

HPU athletics announced today that current Lady Jacket basketball coach Meia Daniels would take on compliance duties and is now Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance. Coach Daniels led the Lady Jackets last season to a 16-10 overall record and the the programs 14th consecutive appearance in the American Southwest Conference tournament. Daniels also serves as Senior Women’s Administrator.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH

UMD appointed Marketing Department professor Dr. Stephen Castleberry as the new Faculty Athletic Representative. Castleberry, who oversees UMD’s marketing and graphic design major, joined the Labovitz School of Business and Economics faculty in 1992; he also teaches Sports Marketing, which he helped create. Over the past several years he has worked closely with Bulldog athletics, providing support with an extensive sports marketing internship program.

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

Athletics Director Warde Manuel announced five promotions within the administrative staff in the Division of Athletics. Mike Enright has been elevated to Associate AD-Communications from Associate AD-Communications; Dan Glinski to Assistant AD-Equipment Services from Director of Equipment Services; Bob Howard to Assistant AD-Athletic Training from Head Athletic Trainer; David Kaplan to Assistant AD-Video Services from Director of Video Services; and Kyle Kravchuk to Associate AD-Ticket Operations from Assistant AD-Ticket Operations.

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

There are some changes in the works for Grizzly football fans as work continues to improve Washington Grizzly Stadium. New handrails will be running down the middle of the 42″-wide aisles that divide the east-and west-side seating sections. The stadium will also feature improved reception for cell phones, and LED ribbon boards will run along the faces of sections 229 and 233 – otherwise known as the pie-shaped wedges of the upper north end zone that were added during the 2008 expansion. -MTN News-

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Zac Selmon is the new Associate AD and Special Assistant to the AD. Selmon played tight end and was a four-time member of the Dean’s List while attending Wake Forest. Selmon has worked in the Oklahoma athletic department for five years, including the last three years as associate director of athletics development. There, he helped collect $46 million in pledges for major gifts and helped generate record levels in annual giving in four consecutive years.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

The SEC yesterday closed deals for carriage on Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, in time for the kick-off game on August 14th between Texas A&M and South Carolina. ESPN, which closed the deal, made an agreement in May 2013 to manage the network for at least the next 20 years, with plans to broadcast events across 21 sports, including at least 1,000 live events. There was no financial data in the announcement. -Alex Ben Block-

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE

Jamie Severns has been named Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations, VMI Athletics Director Dr. Dave Diles has announced. Severns comes to VMI from the Southern Conference league office where she had served as the Director of Multimedia Services from 2009 until 2013 before being promoted to Assistant Commissioner for Multimedia Services. Severns assumes her duties at the Institute on Monday.

SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

SNU officially announced yesterday that the NCAA Division II Membership process is now complete and that it is now a full active member. Southern Nazarene now becomes the first private institution in Oklahoma to be full active members in NCAA Division II and is the first school of six that left the NAIA’s Sooner Athletic Conference to complete the process. SNU is now able to compete for GAC and NCAA postseason championships beginning in the 2014-15 academic year.

SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY

For the sixth consecutive year, SMU Athletics has broken annual giving records. For fiscal year 2014, SMU Athletics raised $10.7 million in annual giving, smashing last year’s then-record total of $8.3 million by 29%. The figure also represents a 132% increase in annual giving since 2009, when SMU raised $4.6 million. Fundraising for capital projects continues to drive the growth in overall athletics giving.

AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY

Damon Evans, Founder of Evolution Sports Partners and former Athletic Director at University of Georgia, has announced that the Austin Peay State University Athletic Department will be implementing its FanGauge™ program this fall to drive fan engagement, retention and data optimization for the Govs. FanGauge will be used by APSU Athletics to drive fan engagement and attendance, integrate sponsors and glean data insights to drive operation results. -PRWeb-

ALLEGHENY COLLEGE

Allegheny College seeks an Athletic Department Coordinator to coordinate all aspects of transportation for the Department of Athletics, schedule athletic facilities for intercollegiate contests and events, manage athletic contest contracts, and other assigned duties. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Columbia seeks an Assistant Director of Sports Information/Media Relations to be responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating media relations and publicity for assigned intercollegiate sports programs. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UCLA

UCLA seeks an Assistant Sports Information Director to develop and write, both in news and feature form, press releases about the coaches and athletes of assigned sports and disseminate this information to the media and to the public via UCLA Athletics website and social media in an effort to publicize various UCLA athletic teams. Apply here by August 5th. (#20683)

July 24, 2014

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

Miami University Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support Services Craig Bennett announced today the hiring of Georgina Nembhard as a new Academic Coordinator/Learning Specialist. Nembhard comes to the RedHawks after spending the past year as an academic advising intern for the University of Miami. While with the Hurricanes she served as an apprentice advisor for 20 student-athletes from multiple sports, monitoring their academic performance while meeting with each of them weekly for mentorship sessions.

EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

During a press conference yesterday inside the Carnegie Hotel’s Grand Soldiers Ballroom, the ETSU Athletics Department officially announced a new visual identity and branding initiative for the Buccaneers’ program. While the announcement featured the release of new primary and secondary logos, a great deal of excitement also surrounded the release of the program’s new football helmet, home basketball court design, and redesigned player uniforms.

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Athletics director Tom Bowen has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Leadership Council. Bowen was voted to represent the American Athletic Conference on the council by his fellow athletic directors from the conference. During his two years as the U of M athletics director, Bowen has been very involved in the national landscape of college athletics. He also currently sits on the College Football Playoff organization’s Athletic Directors Advisory Council.

CARDINAL STRITCH UNIVERSITY

Dr. Tim M. Van Alstine, a higher education professional with more than 25 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics as student-athlete, coach, and administrator, has been named athletics director at Cardinal Stritch after a three-month long search. He will start Aug. 1. Van Alstine joins Stritch after serving as assistant vice-president/director of athletics for the Western Illinois University Athletics Department, which competes in NCAA Division I. Under Van Alstine’s leadership over the past 12 years, Western has captured 28 conference championships, won three Conference Commissioner’s Cups (2003-05) and three consecutive runner-up finishes (2006-08).

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

Chancellor Carol Folt announced today the university’s plan to formalize a program to help athletes who did not finish their degrees to return to the university to do so. The athletic department will fund “Complete Carolina”, which will begin in the 2015-16 academic year. Those accepted will be offered financial support proportional to a student’s athletics aid during initial enrollment, including tuition, fees, room, board and books. -Capitol Broadcasting company-

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO

UNC seeks a Bear Vision Director to be responsible for the design, organization, production and implementation of all video, live event production and web streaming for UNC athletics, along with the management of new media efforts. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here (#0601028).

PIEDMONT COLLEGE

The Office of Athletic Communications has added Danielle Percival to the department as an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications effective August 1st. Percival comes to Piedmont from NCAA Division I Troy University, while bringing a wealth of professional experience in the field of broadcasting, a key aspect of her position with the Lions as the newly implemented Mane Event Broadcasting Network enters its second year this coming fall.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

The university is currently interviewing candidates for the associate athletic director for development, a position that is currently held by Alan Farley. Farley is a candidate for the Rutherford County Election Commission administrator. If Farley does not get that position he would be in charge of premium seats and major gifts at MTSU while reporting to the new associate athletic director. -Adam Sparks-

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY

At the end of the spring semester, Marshall said goodbye to Steve Barnett, director of athletic bands for 11 years. The College of Arts and Media is welcoming Adam Dalton to fill the position. Dalton will oversee the Marching Thunder and pep bands, as well as conducting the symphonic band. Working with the Marshall bands will be his first university teach. Previously, Dalton taught at the elementary and high school level in Atlanta -Megan Osborne-

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

SDSU announced yesterday that Jeff Holm is the new senior associate athletic director for facilities and operations, and Brian Brunner is the new assistant athletic director for annual giving. Holm has been the associate AD at Augustana College for the last four years. Brunner previously served in the Central Michigan athletic department. Carly Case will be an athletic academic adviser and Kadero Watson a football operations coordinator. -AP-

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

The NDSU athletic department announced the Bison Pride Flag Project yesterday, a new project designed to help spread Bison Pride to all corners of the great state of North Dakota. The goal of the project is to place a custom-designed Bison Pride flag in every city in North Dakota, all 50 states, and in select Minnesota cities. The Bison Pride Flag Project will enhance the Bison Pride Friday tradition by asking fans to fly the flags on Fridays of game week, game day for all Bison sports and the days following NDSU victories.

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

Jacksonville seeks a Compliance Coordinator to assist the Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/Student-Athlete Services with the day to day compliance operations of the department. Applications will be accepted until August 1st. For more information on applying, contact senior associate director of athletics April Taylor.

BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

BGSU seeks an Assistant Athletic Communications Director to serve as the chief media relations director for football and baseball, but help with all other sports, as needed, within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Apply here by August 12th.

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY

Bemidji State seeks an Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations to assist the Director of Athletic Media Relations in all facets of operations and management of the Athletic Media Relations Office and the publicity of Bemidji State’s 15 intercollegiate athletic programs. Apply here by August 17th.

July 23, 2014

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Clemson names Natalie Gonzalez, a highly accomplished administrator at Yale for the past six years, its new Senior Woman Administrator. In her new role, she will provide oversight for several Olympic sport programs, serve as an official Clemson representative at NCAA and conference meetings and serve as a member of the department’s senior staff. She came to Yale as an Assistant Athletic Director in 2008 before being promoted to Associate Athletic Director in 2011.

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

Head Softball coach Jennifer Steele has named Dan Sperl her assistant coach. Sperl, who has spent the past four years on staff as recruiting coordinator at George Washington University, previously served at Jacksonville as a volunteer assistant prior to the 2011 campaign. Sperl had an immediate impact helping the program to a 10 win improvement in 2011. With his assistance, the team followed with a school record for wins in both 2012 and 2013.

GEORGIA TECH

Georgia Tech has hired Chris Yandle as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Public Relations. Yandle, who is among the leading communications professionals in college athletics, previously held a similar role at the University of Miami. Yandle was promoted to Assistant AD for Communications at Miami last year after joining the Hurricanes staff in 2012.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

NDSU has broken ground on its new state–of the–art athletics facility. The Sanford Health Athletic Complex is set to open in 2016 and includes a new basketball arena and training facility, a bubble over Dacotah Field for those beautiful winter days, along with better classrooms, workout equipment and rehabilitation centers. The expansion and renovation of the existing Bison Sports Arena will cost $41 million. -Evan Klosky-

UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN

Athletics Director Deborah Chin named Patricia Hughes Associate AD for Internal Operations, effective August 18th. Hughes most recently served as Assistant AD for External Relations at the University of Montevallo. Hughes joined Montevallo in 2004, where she served as Senior Woman Administrator. She also was Interim AD for the 2007-08 academic year. Under Hughes, Montevallo was the Peach Belt Conference winner and a national finalist for the 2013 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Illinois seeks a Director of Development to lead the development, implementation, execution and maintenance of strategies, policies, procedures, and goal setting for all annual gift fundraising programs for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. To receive full consideration, apply here by August 4th.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

Maryland seeks a Director for Special Events to coordinate the overall planning, management, and invoicing of special events held within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics facilities at the University of Maryland College Park. For best consideration, please apply here by July 28th.

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

Alex Gray, an assistant softball coach at Connecticut for the past two seasons, has been named an assistant softball coach according to head coach Tyra Perry. Prior to joining the staff at Connecticut, Gray spent three seasons (2009-11) as the head softball coach at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. He led the Vikettes to a 67-34 record and was named the 2010 and 2011 Region 1-AAAAA Coach of the Year.

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

Mary Alice Limperopulos, a 2013 Fairfield University graduate, was named Assistant Director for Marketing and Tickets at Fordham University yesterday it was announced by Director of Athletics Dave Roach. Last year, Limperopulos served as a Sports Marketing and Promotions Graduate Assistant at Fairfield, handling all aspects of marketing and promotions for the Stags.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Arizona State seeks an Athletic Facilities Maintenance Coordinator to coordinate the maintenance and preparation the Softball facility, Soccer facility and other athletic facilities assigned for professional, collegiate, and high school events. Apply here by July 29th.

JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY

JCU seeks an Intern Baseball Pitching Coach to assist the head baseball coach in all aspects of administering and operating a NCAA Division III men’s baseball program within the rules of the University, the Ohio Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Northwest had a busy summer full of projects to prepare for the fall semester. The long-awaited $1 million high-definition video screen and scoreboard is erect, but not complete yet. The board itself went up very quickly after the supports were installed less than two weeks ago. Work is idle on the replacement of Herschel Neil Track. The asphalt under layer still needed to cure for another 28 days before the track surface could be applied. -Jason Lawrence-

July 22, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

UCA seeks a head men’s golf coach to work closely with the athletics administrative staff and University faculty and staff in order to carry out the mission of the University and the athletics program. Apply here. The position will be open until it is filled. The desired start date is August 1st.

EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

ESU names Zak King the new Director of Athletic Operations and Event Management. He will oversee game management of all home events as well as scheduling and maintenance of the athletic buses and athletic facilities on campus. King was a kicker for the Hornet football team in 2010 and 2011. Following his December 2013 graduation from ESU, King spent this past semester working with special needs students at Emporia Middle School. He began his full-time duties July 6.

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY

Zach Lewis, who holds numerous offensive records at MSU, has been elevated to assistant football coach. Lewis will coach the slot receivers. Lewis served as a student assistant in 2013 after concluding his four-year MSU career in 2012. During his senior season, Lewis established school career records for completions (936), passing attempts (1,499), passing yards (10,251), passing touchdowns (72), offensive plays (1,710) and total yards (10,164).

SACRAMENTO STATE

Markus Jennings became the Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs on July 7th. Jennings recently served three years as the Assistant AD/Director of Athletic Advancement at Kent State, where he was part of a team which secured over $14 million towards capital, endowment and annual fund projects. He also helped increase the Football Enhancement Fund by 269 percent.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Athletics director Dr. M. Dianne Murphy announced today that Matthew Scally, former Associate Athletics Director and Director of Compliance at Long Island University Brooklyn, will be the Associate AD for Intercollegiate Sports Programs. As Associate AD and Director of Compliance at LIU Brooklyn, Scally worked closely with both the AD and the senior woman administrator to ensure compliance in the Northeast Conference and the NCAA.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY

SHSU sports information director Paul Ridings is the 2014 recipient of the Southland Conference’s Louis Bonnette Sports Media Award. Ridings has been at SHSU for 24 years, making him the second-longest tenured SID in the league. In the last 10 years, he has headed up publicity efforts for 30 conference championship teams, a pair of FCS National Championship appearances, two NCAA basketball tournament appearances and five NCAA baseball regionals.

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Sources tell College AD that Marek Cornett will be the new Assistant Director of Digital Media at the University of Oklahoma. Cornett is currently holding a dual role of Digital Media Strategist at Koch Communications and Adjunct Professor at the University of Oklahoma, started in February 2012 and January 2014, respectively.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

UCA seeks a Head Women’s Tennis Coach to work closely with the athletics administrative staff and University faculty and staff in order to carry out the mission of the University and the athletics program. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS

UAF is seeking an entire sports information department, as Chris Brooks and Mark Rivera resigned their positions after accepting new roles elsewhere, according to a UAF release yesterday. Brooks resigned July 11 as the assistant athletic director for operations and media relations after becoming the men’s basketball sports information director at James Madison University. Rivera, who spent the 2013-14 school year as UAF’s media relations assistant, accepted the position of sports information director at the Academy of Art. -Danny Martin

LOUISBURG COLLEGE

Louisburg College seeks a Head Softball Coach to be responsible for planning and organizing all aspects of the softball program, including recruiting and scheduling. The position will be open until it is filled. For more information on applying, contact athletics director Mike Holloman.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

UMKC seeks a Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations to oversee the external revenue generating areas as well as the non-revenue generating areas of the Athletics Department. Apply here by August 6th. (# 28603)

CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA

Centenary College of Louisiana seeks an Assistant Athletic Trainer to report to the Director of Athletics and work under the direction of the Head Athletic Trainer provided to the College by the Willis-Knighton Health-Center and assist in the supervision of student workers. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Clemson seeks an Assistant AD for Compliance to serve as the primary administrator in preparing, organizing and administering the compliance department’s rules reducation program for University staff, athletics department’s staff, coaches, student-athletes and representatives of athletics interest relating to compliance with NCAA, ACC and university relations. The position will be open until it is filled. For more information on applying, contact townsen@clemson.edu.

July 21, 2014

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

The Clemson board of trustees gave its final approval to renovate all Memorial Stadium suites at its quarterly meeting Friday. The athletic department gets the go-ahead to design and reconstruct the suites and concourse, which will “improve safety, add 750 premium seats and provide enhanced amenities” per the university’s release. The project is estimated to cost $25 million, which will be funded via revenue bonds. It is scheduled to be finished in time for the 2015 football season. This will be the first large-scale renovation to the suites in 20 years.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON

Athletics Director Stephanie Helgeson announced the addition of Don Stopa as head softball coach. Stopa was most recently head coach at Louisburg College in N.C. for the past three seasons. While at Louisburg, Stopa led the Hurricanes to a 70-56 mark and helped to produce 14 All-Region players, two National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Americans and six NJCAA All-Academic award winners. Stopa was also Louisburg’s Sports Information Director.

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE

Big South entered a new three-year television broadcast arrangement with the Sinclair Broadcast Group, announced Thursday by Sinclair CEO David Smith and Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander. Under the agreement beginning this season, Sinclair will televise a minimum of 18 games during the course of the academic year featuring every Big South member institution. A minimum of six football games and seven men’s basketball games will be televised, with five games from other sports – including at least three women’s events.

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

Head baseball coach Paul Mainieri announced today that Andy Cannizaro will be the new recruiting coordinator and hitting coach. Cannizaro replaces Javi Sanchez, who departed earlier this month to pursue a business career. Cannizaro was a former all-America shortstop at Tulane who played in the big leagues for the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. He was a Yankees scout since 2009 and was the Yankees’ official representative at the 2013 and 2014 MLB Drafts.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

Maryland hires Courtney Scott as its new head softball coach. Scott came from the University of Louisville, where she was an assistant for the past four seasons. In her time there, the softball program earned an overall record of 176-60 and won the 2014 American Athletic Conference tournament. She replaces Laura Watten, whose contract expired at the end of last month. Watten decided to pursue other opportunities and to spend more time with her family. Prior to Louisville, Scott was an assistant at Maryland for two seasons.

LEWIS UNIVERSITY

Athletics Director Dr. John Planek announced today that he has hired Becky Pearl as the new head softball coach. Pearl, who has served as the Judson University head softball coach since 2004, takes over for George DiMatteo, who announced his retirement following the 2014 campaign. In 10 seasons, Pearl set a school-record with over 250 victories and helped Judson advance to the National Christian College Athletic Association Tournament six times.

BROWN UNIVERSITY

Brown Athletics, in conjunction with Learfield Sports, has developed Brown Bears Sports Properties as its exclusive corporate sponsorship sales unit, as announced today by Athletics Director Jack Hayes. This dedicated unit is designed to support Brown Athletics’ initiative to enhance the service provided to local and regional businesses and further promote the Brown brand affinity to the corporate community. Brown Bears Sports Properties will office on campus, which will allow a close working relationship with the entire Brown Athletics administration.

LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

Shannon Clegg has been promoted to the position of Associate Director of Athletic Training, Director of Athletic Training Bill Gerzabek announced today. Clegg joined the La Salle staff in August 2013 as an assistant athletic trainer, with five years of prior experience on the training staff at The George Washington University. During her time at GW, Clegg worked with the men’s basketball team, along with lacrosse, softball, and men’s and women’s tennis.

SAINT PETER’S UNIVERSITY

Saint Peter’s names former Athletics Director Bill Stein as Director of Athletics Emeritus. Stein was AD for 26 years from 1981-2008. During his tenure, Stein started both women’s soccer and women’s volleyball as intercollegiate sports. He was also instrumental in the creation of the university’s first outdoor athletic complex, Joseph J. Jaroschak Field, the permanent home for the Peacocks soccer, baseball and softball teams.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

After leading his team to one of its best seasons in history, head baseball coach Lindsay Meggs received a six-year contract extension, announced Athletics Director Scott Woodward. Meggs guided the team to a record of 41-17-1 in his fifth season. For his efforts, Meggs was named the 2014 Pac-12 Coach of the Year. After being picked 10th out of 11 teams in the pre-season coaches poll, Meggs led the team to a second-place finish in the Conference, their best Pac-12 finish since 2004.

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

California Baptist seeks an Assistant Director of Marketing for Athletics to be responsible for the marketing, promotions and social media initiatives for the department and each of its 19 sport programs. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Washington seeks an Assistant Director of Events to implement strategic customer service initiatives to enhance the game day experience. Apply here by July 23.

GEORGIA TECH

Georgia Tech seeks a Deputy Director of Athletics to assist in managing the daily activity of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, providing administrative oversight and regular status reports/updates to the Director of Athletics. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here (# 170101).

BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

Bucknell seeks an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications to assist the Director of Athletic Communications assists in promoting the department and its student-athletes through media relations, press releases, media guides, web site and other print and electronic media. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Delaware seeks a head equipment manager to develop, plan and organize programs for maintaining and purchasing athletic equipment for all university sport teams. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here (#102251).

July 20, 2014

MARIST COLLEGE

Marist College seeks a Sports Information Assistant to be the primary media contact for several of the college’s 23 Division I sports, as assigned by the Director of Sports Information. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

RICE UNIVERSITY

Rice seeks a Facilities and Event Management Coordinator to assist with the management of daily operations of the university athletic department by planning and coordinating athletic facilities and events. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh seeks an Assistant Softball Coach to be responsible for assistance in all aspects of coaching, development and organization of a highly competitive Division I program in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Michigan seeks a Director of Engagement, Communications and Events to responsible for the design, implementation and coordination of an innovative, creative and comprehensive program that strategically promotes Michigan Athletics to our target audiences. Apply here by August 22nd.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO

UTSA seeks an Athletics Compliance Coordinator to be responsible for various duties, such as initial eligibility and admissions monitoring, performing transcript evaluations, and writing waiver and interpretation requests as necessary. Apply here by July 31st.

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

Denver seeks an Assistant Men’s Golf Coach to assists the Head Coach in the administration of all aspects of the sport program including coaching, recruiting, contest scheduling, supervising sports personnel, budget management, student-athlete mentoring, and ensuring program compliance with NCAA, Conference, and University rules and regulations. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

July 19, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA’S COLLEGE AT WISE

UVa-Wise announced Wednesday that Bill Sergent will be the new men’s golf coach. Prior to joining UVa-Wise, Sergent coached both men and women’s golf at Cumberland College and the University of the Cumberlands. He coached 16 teams to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. Sergent’s best Cumberland College men’s team finished 6th in NAIA in 1992, and his best women’s team finished 12th in the 2000 NAIA National Tournament.

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

Iowa seeks an Assistant Athletic Trainer to work work closely with the Strength & Conditioning coaches, team physicians and extended sports medicine staff regarding the prevention, care, management and treatment of injuries and illnesses. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

HOLY NAMES UNIVERSITY

HNU seeks an Athletics Administrative Assistant (part-time) to assist the Athletic Director in daily operations as well as scheduling of pool, gym and weight room hours for Holy Names University Athletic teams as well as overseeing rental of the university’s facilities. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Arizona seeks a Ticket Sales Intern, who will have the opportunity to work with Outbound Ticket Sales, Marketing and Development. This is a one-year appointment, with an opportunity for a one-year extension, reporting to the Director of Ticket Sales and Assistant Director of Sales. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here (Job # 55808).

July 18, 2014

CLARKSON UNIVERSITY

Clarkson announces Jamey Hoose as its new Director of Cheel Campus Center/Arena. A 2001 graduate of Clarkson, Hoose spent the past seven years as Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Recreation at SUNY Potsdam, where he led the Bears’ Athletic Department though the design and construction of the recent $8.7 million renovation to the ice arena and the $400K field house upgrades.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON

UMC Athletics and Athletics Director Stephanie Helgeson announced the addition of Steven Krouse as assistant athletic trainer. Krouse recently graduated from the College of Saint Scholastica with a Masters in Athletic Training. During his time at St. Scholastica, Krouse worked as a trainer for the University of Minnesota Duluth, St. Scholastica and Northwestern High School in Maple, Wis.

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY

Kelly Dumrauf assumes the role of Athletic Communications Assistant. She will serve as the primary contact for cross country, track and field, gymnastics and women’s tennis. Dumrauf spent the last year as the Assistant Sports Information Director at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also led the department’s social media efforts and assisted with the athletic department’s website redesign. Dumrauf also worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a Media Relations Intern during the 2012 MLB season.

DAKOTA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Athletic Director Curt Hart announced yesterday that John Greicar will be the new head baseball coach. Greicar takes over for Steve Gust, who resigned in June after six seasons to take the same position at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Greicar completed his third season as assistant baseball coach in May. At DWU, Greicar has been a part of three 20-win teams, and helped DWU to a 27-24 record in 2014 – the most wins since the 2010 season.

UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

Dayton revealed its new athletics logo today. 160over90 produced the logo and Nike gave creative consultation. While maintaining its classic feel, this new theme aims to attract more attention from high-quality student-athletes, while elevating the perception of the athletics program. Rollout of the logos and themes will occur in phases, starting with the basketball programs, new athletics facilities projects and more visible athletics venues. Dayton will use both logos during the transition.

BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY

Athletics Director Jhett Albers has announced the promotion of Colleen Mischke to Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator. Mischke has been the Administrative Assistant for Black Hills State since August of 2012. Prior to Black Hills State, Mischke served as the assistant track and field coach at College of St. Benedict/St. Johns University from 2006-2012 while serving as an administrator for the Saint Cloud Area Youth Basketball Association.

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Athletics Director Joe Castiglione will be chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for the 2015-16 academic year. Castiglione will also be vice-chair of the committee this year, working with Utah State University athletics director Scott Barnes, who begins his term as chair on Sept. 1. Castiglione is entering his 17th year as Oklahoma AD, having been hired in 1998 after spending the previous 17 years at the University of Missouri.

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Damon Evans, Founder and Managing Director of Evolution Sports Partners, and former Athletic Director at University of Georgia, has announced that the Wake Forest University Athletic Department will be implementing its FanGauge™ program this fall to drive student engagement and attendance for the Demon Deacons, integrate sponsors and glean data insights to drive operation results. FanGauge is one of a number of innovative programs developed by ESP to help Intercollegiate Athletic Departments operate more intuitively to drive academic and business results.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – LA CROSSE

Interim Athletics Director Kim Blum has been selected the 2013-14 National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators Administrator of the Year for NCAA Division III for significant contributions made as an intercollegiate athletics administrator. Blum, in her 11th year at UW-L, became Interim AD June 18 after serving as Deputy Director of Athletics in 2013-14. Prior to being named Deputy AD, she was UW-L’s Associate AD for nine years.

SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The SWAC announced Wednesday the hiring of Jennifer Jones as the Director of Communications. Previously, Jones served as director of sports information at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. During her time there, she was responsible for the athletic communications of 19 NCAA Division III programs and most recently was the media coordinator for the Division III men’s volleyball national championship.

NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Christi Weiser has been hired as the new NIACC softball coach. Weiser, who recently completed her second year as the head softball coach at Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, was an assistant softball coach at Colorado Mesa University for two seasons. Weiser replaces Tyler Sisco, who stepped down as coach of the Lady Trojans after seven seasons. Prior to Colorado Mesa, Weiser was a member of the Regis University coaching staff for nine seasons.

EMERSON COLLEGE

Emerson College seeks an Assistant Director for Administration and Strategic Communications to assist in all aspects of conference operations with an emphasis on sports governance, championship administration and strategic communications. The position will be open until is is filled. Apply here.

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

Mississippi State seeks an Athletic Academic Counselor to provide assistance to the Director for Athletic Academic Support Services to help facilitate the academic development and progress of student-athletes toward degree completion in basketball and additional sports. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY

Idaho State seeks an Assistant Athletic Director for Development to serve as the primary major gift officer in support of the capital campaign. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Michigan State seeks an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications to serve as the main athletic communications contact for the assigned sports, directly responsible for the publicity and media relations coverage of those programs. Apply here by July 30th.

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY

Slippery Rock seeks an Athletic Communications Assistant Director to be responsible for the planning and implementation of a proactive and comprehensive intercollegiate athletics communications program for sports to which he/she is assigned. Full consideration will be given to applications received by August 4, 2014. Apply here.

July 17, 2014

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-VICTORIA

Sports Information Specialist Paul Ebner has been named the recipient of the inaugural Association of Independent Institutions Conference Sports Information Director of the Year award, earning the distinction for the 2013-14 academic year. Completing his fifth year as sports information specialist for the Jaguars, Ebner was selected in a vote by conference administrators. The award recognizes the individual who has performed the best at promoting their school’s athletic program.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

HPU Athletics announced that Mark LaFrance will be the new Assistant Athletic Director for Communications. LaFrance most recently served as an assistant director of media relations at Ohio University for the past two years. From 2010-12, LaFrance worked as the communications associate for the University of Notre Dame’s Monogram Club – the preeminent letter winner’s association in the country.

SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

Francis X. Reidy and the Athletics Department have announced the hiring of Peter Lefresne as the new Director of Athletic Communications. Joining the Lions from the University of Maine at Farmington, Lefresne brings over 20 years of experience to the Athletic Communications Department at Saint Leo. Prior to UMaine-Farmington,Lefresne was at Juniata College, where he served as the Sports Information Director and Assistant Athletic Director for five years.

METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER

Athletics Director Joan McDermott announced the addition of Jim Gillen to the university’s athletics staff on Thursday as the new associate athletic director for facilities and community engagement. He will also oversee the athletic training program. Gillen spent 23 years in the NBA as the athletic trainer for the Denver Nuggets. He also served as the team’s travel coordinator.

GEORGIA GWINNETT COLLEGE

Dr. Darin S. Wilson receives the Association of Independent Institutions Conference Athletics Director of the Year Award for 2013-14. Wilson is completing his third year as AD, overseeing the program grow from the ground up as he developed and implemented athletics operational and scholarship budgets from scratch. He planned and oversaw the implementation of a new $13.5 million athletics facility.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

The Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium will become the new dining hall for athletes for up to 18 times per week in every varsity sport at the UI, thanks to new NCAA legislation that allows schools to provide unlimited meals and snacks to all, whether they’re on full scholarship or a walk-on, on campus. Up until now, Illinois has provided dinner five days a week for athletes in just four sports — football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball — at the much smaller Varsity Room. All other athletes were responsible for their own meals and where they ate them. -Matt Daniels-

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Vanderbilt seeks a Donor Operations and Communication Coordinator, National Commodore Club to be responsible for handling operational services, donor relations and stewardship activities for the National Commodore Club. The position will be open until it is filled. Apply here.

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