Education
Louisiana Tech University: Bachelor’s of General Studies – 2015
Louisiana Tech University: Master’s of Science in Kinesiology – 2017
(Administration of Sport & Physical Activity)
Louisiana Tech University: Master’s of Business Administration – 2021
University of Louisville: Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Organizational Development – In Progress (Sports Administration)
Relevant Experience
Louisiana Tech University: Game Management Associate (2015-2017)
Lamar University: Marketing Assistant (2018-2019); Coordinator of Athletic Development (2019-2021) University of Louisville: Assistant Director of Development (2021-Present)
As I look back on my journey thus far, I can’t help but be appreciative to anyone and everyone that has helped mold me into the person that I am today. I have been blessed more than I deserve, and for that, I am forever thankful. One of the main catalysts of my success thus far has been Louisiana Tech University and the people that I met during my time in Ruston. Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without my experience as a Bulldog.
Preface
Growing up I lived in Pineville, LA, just under a two-hour drive south of Ruston. As a young kid I was familiar with Louisiana Tech as my dad, uncle and aunt were all graduates. I even remember attending my aunt’s college graduation in the Thomas Assembly Center in 1999 and afterwards trying to find everyone’s brick on the alumni walkway. Starting in junior high, I would attend week-long summer basketball camps at Louisiana Tech where we would stay in the old dorms and play in the TAC. This is where my love for Louisiana Tech began.
Nearing the end of my high school career I applied to several school in the state of Louisiana but ultimately made the decision to follow my dad’s footsteps and moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University. It was always a dream of mine to play collegiate basketball at my dad’s alma mater. I knew that I was not good enough to garner a basketball scholarship, so the next best option was to attempt to walk onto the team. So, for both my freshman and sophomore years I attended walk-on try outs but failed to make the team each time. Although heartbreaking for me, I knew that it was in my best interest to find something new to strive for but had no idea what. I knew that I loved being around sports but that was about it.
Mid way through my second year in Ruston, starved for an opportunity to be on a sports team again, I was asked to try out for the Louisiana Tech cheerleading squad. This was something that I had no prior experience in and considered it a challenge to take on athletically. A couple of months later, after
attending several training sessions, I tried out and I made the team. Never would I have thought that I would have been a college cheerleader, but it ultimately let me to my current career. It was while I was on the sidelines, cheering on the Dogs & Lady Techsters that I started to notice the individuals working behind the scenes to put on the event. Each game that I attended I began more and more curious as to what a career in sports might look like. And as they say, the rest is history.
Chapter 1
In the summer of 2013, in-between my third and fourth years at Louisiana Tech, I received a group message from our cheerleading coach asking if a few couples could show up in uniform to a press conference to help welcome guests. That press conference was to announce the new Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech University, Tommy McClelland. Being a passionate Louisiana Tech sports fan and curious about a career in sports, I eagerly volunteered and attended the event. At that point in my college career, I had already switched majors three times and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. But after attending the press conference and listening to Tommy’s speech, my eyes were opened to a career path that I had never thought of, that of a college athletic director.
A couple of months go by after the introductory press conference, and I decided to reach out to Tommy via email asking him for his advice and requested a meeting with him. Tommy (now the AD at Rice University) graciously responded and agreed to take the meeting. During our conversation he encouraged me to volunteer within the LA Tech athletic department and to get plugged in anywhere that I could to gain experience. Later that spring, I started my college athletics career in the athletic marketing office and for the next 14 months, I served as a volunteer student worker. From working football games, basketball games and baseball games, I was eager to gain as much knowledge as I could about the industry and to learn from as many experiences as possible. I was hooked.
Chapter 2
In February of 2015, after working the past year with the sports marketing department, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in kinesiology and sports marketing. Months prior to graduation I began to research other’s paths in the college athletic industry, and I came to the realization that to stand apart, I would need to obtain an advanced degree. Hence, starting the spring quarter of 2015, I began taking classes towards a Master’s of Science and a Master’s of Business Administration, a dual master’s program. At that time, I was still volunteering with sports marketing but was soon offered a Graduate Assistant position in the LA Tech athletic department in July of that year, just a few months into my graduate coursework.
For the next two years as a GA, I served as the Game Management Associate and operated as the main game day operations contact for volleyball, women’s soccer and softball while assisting with all other sports. Aside for game operations, I worked with the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations, Adam McGuirt and assisted him with the maintenance and upkeep of all athletic facilities. Additionally, I had the opportunity to have a small hand in several facility projects, such as the Davison Athletic Complex on the south side of Joe Aillet Stadium and several locker room renovations.
During my last year as a GA, as I was planning for my next step in my career, I began to research the career paths of current division 1 athletic directors. I found that most athletic directors had a background in some type of revenue generation (fundraising, marketing, ticket sales, etc….) on their resume. I knew that if I were to become an Athletic Director one day, I would need to apply for those types of positions moving forward.
Chapter 3
In the summer of 2018, after a one-year hiatus from college athletics from following my wife’s career to Lexington, KY, I received a call from the Director of Athletics at Lamar University, Marco Born. Marco and I had both worked together in the athletic department at Louisiana Tech, and he proposed that I come work with him in Beaumont, TX. So, in August of 2018, I accepted the position of Marketing Assistant within the Lamar University athletic department. After only five months into my new role, I was asked to transition to the Coordinator of Athletic Development to help oversee the department’s fundraising efforts.
As the Coordinator of Athletic Development, I managed a portfolio of approximately 150 athletic donors to actively cultivate, solicit and steward as well as oversee the athletic annual fund. Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop a new Lettermen’s Club where we saw former student-athlete donations increased by 108%. In 2020, I helped spearhead the first ever “Giving Day” for Lamar University where we saw a 360% increase in donors from year 1 to year 2. Lastly, I served two different stints as the interim Ticket Office Director (May 2019 – June 2019 & November 2020 – August 2021) on top of my normal fundraising duties.
Chapter 4
After almost three years at Lamar University, I felt that I had outgrown my current position, and I began to look for openings within athletic departments around the country. After several months of phone calls and interviews, I was offered my current role as the Assistant Director of Development for the Cardinal Athletic Fund at the University of Louisville.
For the past 2.5 years at UofL, I have managed a portfolio of approximately 200 donors comprised of both individuals and local companies. A big part of my current role is to renew premium football and men’s basketball season tickets as well as seek out new business. Aside some season ticket renewals and premium sales, I am also charged with overseeing the internal operations for the Cardinal Athletic Fund, coordinating communication to donors, securing major gifts ($10,000+) and acting as a liaison to university advancement and the KFC Yum! Center. In 2022, I had the opportunity to develop and implement The Cardinal Trust initiative to help raise funds to support our Red & Black Scholar rewards, summer school and degree completion program. To this day the Cardinal Trust has raised over $430,000 in cash and another $637,000 in pledges over the next 5 years for a total of $1,067,000.
My time in Louisville has also provided me with opportunities to help host NCAA championships. Since arriving in Louisville, I have helped host the following events:
2021 Sweet 16 & Elite 8 of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament
2021-22 First & Second Round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament 2022 Sweet 16 & Elite 8 of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament
2022 NCAA Cross Country Regional
2022 NCAA Baseball Regional
2022-23 Sweet 16 & Elite 8 of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 2023 First & Second Round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament
Furthermore, I am currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program here at the University of Louisville where I am studying Educational Leadership and Organizational Development with a concentration in sports administration.
Epilogue
In my 8+ years in the college athletics industry, I have been influenced by countless individuals that have helped me grow in my career, many of whom I can trace back to my time at Louisiana Tech. Ruston is where I met my wife and found my career, consequently it holds a special place in my heart. I would not be the person that I am today without the people that I met in Ruston, including the wonderful faculty within the Kinesiology Department. As a three-time graduate of Louisiana Tech University, I bleed red & blue, and I will Ever Loyal Be!
If I can ever be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. How Bout’ Them Dogs!!
Education
Louisiana Tech University: Bachelor’s of General Studies – 2015
Louisiana Tech University: Master’s of Science in Kinesiology – 2017
(Administration of Sport & Physical Activity)
Louisiana Tech University: Master’s of Business Administration – 2021
University of Louisville: Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Organizational Development – In Progress (Sports Administration)
Relevant Experience
Louisiana Tech University: Game Management Associate (2015-2017)
Lamar University: Marketing Assistant (2018-2019); Coordinator of Athletic Development (2019-2021) University of Louisville: Assistant Director of Development (2021-Present)
As I look back on my journey thus far, I can’t help but be appreciative to anyone and everyone that has helped mold me into the person that I am today. I have been blessed more than I deserve, and for that, I am forever thankful. One of the main catalysts of my success thus far has been Louisiana Tech University and the people that I met during my time in Ruston. Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without my experience as a Bulldog.
Preface
Growing up I lived in Pineville, LA, just under a two-hour drive south of Ruston. As a young kid I was familiar with Louisiana Tech as my dad, uncle and aunt were all graduates. I even remember attending my aunt’s college graduation in the Thomas Assembly Center in 1999 and afterwards trying to find everyone’s brick on the alumni walkway. Starting in junior high, I would attend week-long summer basketball camps at Louisiana Tech where we would stay in the old dorms and play in the TAC. This is where my love for Louisiana Tech began.
Nearing the end of my high school career I applied to several school in the state of Louisiana but ultimately made the decision to follow my dad’s footsteps and moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University. It was always a dream of mine to play collegiate basketball at my dad’s alma mater. I knew that I was not good enough to garner a basketball scholarship, so the next best option was to attempt to walk onto the team. So, for both my freshman and sophomore years I attended walk-on try outs but failed to make the team each time. Although heartbreaking for me, I knew that it was in my best interest to find something new to strive for but had no idea what. I knew that I loved being around sports but that was about it.
Mid way through my second year in Ruston, starved for an opportunity to be on a sports team again, I was asked to try out for the Louisiana Tech cheerleading squad. This was something that I had no prior experience in and considered it a challenge to take on athletically. A couple of months later, after
attending several training sessions, I tried out and I made the team. Never would I have thought that I would have been a college cheerleader, but it ultimately let me to my current career. It was while I was on the sidelines, cheering on the Dogs & Lady Techsters that I started to notice the individuals working behind the scenes to put on the event. Each game that I attended I began more and more curious as to what a career in sports might look like. And as they say, the rest is history.
Chapter 1
In the summer of 2013, in-between my third and fourth years at Louisiana Tech, I received a group message from our cheerleading coach asking if a few couples could show up in uniform to a press conference to help welcome guests. That press conference was to announce the new Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech University, Tommy McClelland. Being a passionate Louisiana Tech sports fan and curious about a career in sports, I eagerly volunteered and attended the event. At that point in my college career, I had already switched majors three times and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. But after attending the press conference and listening to Tommy’s speech, my eyes were opened to a career path that I had never thought of, that of a college athletic director.
A couple of months go by after the introductory press conference, and I decided to reach out to Tommy via email asking him for his advice and requested a meeting with him. Tommy (now the AD at Rice University) graciously responded and agreed to take the meeting. During our conversation he encouraged me to volunteer within the LA Tech athletic department and to get plugged in anywhere that I could to gain experience. Later that spring, I started my college athletics career in the athletic marketing office and for the next 14 months, I served as a volunteer student worker. From working football games, basketball games and baseball games, I was eager to gain as much knowledge as I could about the industry and to learn from as many experiences as possible. I was hooked.
Chapter 2
In February of 2015, after working the past year with the sports marketing department, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in general studies with minors in kinesiology and sports marketing. Months prior to graduation I began to research other’s paths in the college athletic industry, and I came to the realization that to stand apart, I would need to obtain an advanced degree. Hence, starting the spring quarter of 2015, I began taking classes towards a Master’s of Science and a Master’s of Business Administration, a dual master’s program. At that time, I was still volunteering with sports marketing but was soon offered a Graduate Assistant position in the LA Tech athletic department in July of that year, just a few months into my graduate coursework.
For the next two years as a GA, I served as the Game Management Associate and operated as the main game day operations contact for volleyball, women’s soccer and softball while assisting with all other sports. Aside for game operations, I worked with the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations, Adam McGuirt and assisted him with the maintenance and upkeep of all athletic facilities. Additionally, I had the opportunity to have a small hand in several facility projects, such as the Davison Athletic Complex on the south side of Joe Aillet Stadium and several locker room renovations.
During my last year as a GA, as I was planning for my next step in my career, I began to research the career paths of current division 1 athletic directors. I found that most athletic directors had a background in some type of revenue generation (fundraising, marketing, ticket sales, etc….) on their resume. I knew that if I were to become an Athletic Director one day, I would need to apply for those types of positions moving forward.
Chapter 3
In the summer of 2018, after a one-year hiatus from college athletics from following my wife’s career to Lexington, KY, I received a call from the Director of Athletics at Lamar University, Marco Born. Marco and I had both worked together in the athletic department at Louisiana Tech, and he proposed that I come work with him in Beaumont, TX. So, in August of 2018, I accepted the position of Marketing Assistant within the Lamar University athletic department. After only five months into my new role, I was asked to transition to the Coordinator of Athletic Development to help oversee the department’s fundraising efforts.
As the Coordinator of Athletic Development, I managed a portfolio of approximately 150 athletic donors to actively cultivate, solicit and steward as well as oversee the athletic annual fund. Additionally, I had the opportunity to develop a new Lettermen’s Club where we saw former student-athlete donations increased by 108%. In 2020, I helped spearhead the first ever “Giving Day” for Lamar University where we saw a 360% increase in donors from year 1 to year 2. Lastly, I served two different stints as the interim Ticket Office Director (May 2019 – June 2019 & November 2020 – August 2021) on top of my normal fundraising duties.
Chapter 4
After almost three years at Lamar University, I felt that I had outgrown my current position, and I began to look for openings within athletic departments around the country. After several months of phone calls and interviews, I was offered my current role as the Assistant Director of Development for the Cardinal Athletic Fund at the University of Louisville.
For the past 2.5 years at UofL, I have managed a portfolio of approximately 200 donors comprised of both individuals and local companies. A big part of my current role is to renew premium football and men’s basketball season tickets as well as seek out new business. Aside some season ticket renewals and premium sales, I am also charged with overseeing the internal operations for the Cardinal Athletic Fund, coordinating communication to donors, securing major gifts ($10,000+) and acting as a liaison to university advancement and the KFC Yum! Center. In 2022, I had the opportunity to develop and implement The Cardinal Trust initiative to help raise funds to support our Red & Black Scholar rewards, summer school and degree completion program. To this day the Cardinal Trust has raised over $430,000 in cash and another $637,000 in pledges over the next 5 years for a total of $1,067,000.
My time in Louisville has also provided me with opportunities to help host NCAA championships. Since arriving in Louisville, I have helped host the following events:
2021 Sweet 16 & Elite 8 of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament
2021-22 First & Second Round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament 2022 Sweet 16 & Elite 8 of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament
2022 NCAA Cross Country Regional
2022 NCAA Baseball Regional
2022-23 Sweet 16 & Elite 8 of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 2023 First & Second Round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament
Furthermore, I am currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program here at the University of Louisville where I am studying Educational Leadership and Organizational Development with a concentration in sports administration.
Epilogue
In my 8+ years in the college athletics industry, I have been influenced by countless individuals that have helped me grow in my career, many of whom I can trace back to my time at Louisiana Tech. Ruston is where I met my wife and found my career, consequently it holds a special place in my heart. I would not be the person that I am today without the people that I met in Ruston, including the wonderful faculty within the Kinesiology Department. As a three-time graduate of Louisiana Tech University, I bleed red & blue, and I will Ever Loyal Be!
If I can ever be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. How Bout’ Them Dogs!!
The Exponential Factor 