Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Athletics Reorganizes Senior Administrative Staff
May 19, 2010 | General
Bowling Green, Ohio - Bowling Green State University Director of Athletics Greg Christopher announced today the reorganization of the department's senior staff team. The move creates four Associate Athletics Director positions to oversee the various functions, teams and areas within BGSU Athletics.
“As we look toward 2010-11, this reorganization positions our staff for success and addresses the department's priorities,” said Christopher. “The moves take into account the departure of two senior staff members last year and the need to reposition our staff resources based on new priorities going forward.”
The reorganization combines several departmental areas under the umbrellas of two new Associate Athletics Director positions – Compliance/Student-Athlete Services and External Relations.
The four Associate Athletics Director positions include:
Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services
Mark Shook is being promoted to Associate Athletics Director after directing BGSU's Student-Athlete Services area since 2006. In his new role, Shook will oversee the department's combined compliance and student services areas.
“Mark is a great asset to BGSU. As an alum, he cares deeply about the institution and has made a real difference with our student-athletes. The academic performance of our 425 student-athletes stems from the efforts of Mark and his staff. Combining Compliance and Student-Athlete Services makes sense on several levels because of the collaboration and connections needed. Mark understands both areas and is ready for this step.”
Replacing Shook in Student-Athlete Services, Ashley Baker is being promoted to Director of Student-Athlete Services. Baker has been part of the department since 2007 and is a 2004 BGSU graduate.
“Ashley has a bright future in college athletics,” said Christopher. “She connects with our student-athletes on a personal level and has made a measurable impact in her short tenure.”
Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs
This position is largely unchanged and is held by Jim Elsasser.
Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs
Mary Ellen Gillespie is being promoted to Associate Athletics Director and will oversee all of BGSU's combined external efforts. Until now, Gillespie has guided athletic development since 2006, including the recently successful Stroh Center campaign that raised $14 million.
“We've seen growth in our various external areas like ticket sales, marketing and Falcon Club over the last four years,” indicated Christopher. “Looking ahead, our priorities are shifting. The Stroh Center campaign is wrapping up and in order to maintain revenue growth, we need to be more focused, coordinated and disciplined than ever. Mary Ellen has done an outstanding job since coming to Bowling Green and has touched all of our external areas. She's ready to serve our various staff members in a new role and take our external efforts to a new level.”
Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration
This position will oversee nine of BGSU's 18 sports, along with serving as Senior Administrator to the Mid-American Conference. The position is currently open, with a search underway.
The reorganization is effective immediately, with transitions occurring over the summer. While some positions have changed, the overall staff size of the Athletics Department is not impacted by the reorganization.
“As we look toward 2010-11, this reorganization positions our staff for success and addresses the department's priorities,” said Christopher. “The moves take into account the departure of two senior staff members last year and the need to reposition our staff resources based on new priorities going forward.”
The reorganization combines several departmental areas under the umbrellas of two new Associate Athletics Director positions – Compliance/Student-Athlete Services and External Relations.
The four Associate Athletics Director positions include:
Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services
Mark Shook is being promoted to Associate Athletics Director after directing BGSU's Student-Athlete Services area since 2006. In his new role, Shook will oversee the department's combined compliance and student services areas.
“Mark is a great asset to BGSU. As an alum, he cares deeply about the institution and has made a real difference with our student-athletes. The academic performance of our 425 student-athletes stems from the efforts of Mark and his staff. Combining Compliance and Student-Athlete Services makes sense on several levels because of the collaboration and connections needed. Mark understands both areas and is ready for this step.”
Replacing Shook in Student-Athlete Services, Ashley Baker is being promoted to Director of Student-Athlete Services. Baker has been part of the department since 2007 and is a 2004 BGSU graduate.
“Ashley has a bright future in college athletics,” said Christopher. “She connects with our student-athletes on a personal level and has made a measurable impact in her short tenure.”
Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs
This position is largely unchanged and is held by Jim Elsasser.
Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs
Mary Ellen Gillespie is being promoted to Associate Athletics Director and will oversee all of BGSU's combined external efforts. Until now, Gillespie has guided athletic development since 2006, including the recently successful Stroh Center campaign that raised $14 million.
“We've seen growth in our various external areas like ticket sales, marketing and Falcon Club over the last four years,” indicated Christopher. “Looking ahead, our priorities are shifting. The Stroh Center campaign is wrapping up and in order to maintain revenue growth, we need to be more focused, coordinated and disciplined than ever. Mary Ellen has done an outstanding job since coming to Bowling Green and has touched all of our external areas. She's ready to serve our various staff members in a new role and take our external efforts to a new level.”
Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration
This position will oversee nine of BGSU's 18 sports, along with serving as Senior Administrator to the Mid-American Conference. The position is currently open, with a search underway.
The reorganization is effective immediately, with transitions occurring over the summer. While some positions have changed, the overall staff size of the Athletics Department is not impacted by the reorganization.
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