http://www.scarletknights.com/genrel/052617aab.html
May 26, 2017
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Hobbs today announced the hiring of Michael Szul as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance, Administration and Planning and Rick Thorpe as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs and Strategic Communications. Szul and Thorpe arrive “On the Banks” after serving as Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations at West Virginia University and Associate Athletic Director for Sales & Fan Experience at Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively.“We are very pleased and fortunate to welcome Michael, Rick and their families into the Rutgers community,” said Hobbs. “Both Michael and Rick have extensive experience at BCS conference institutions. More important, they have skill sets to further our mission. As the only BCS school in the nation’s largest media market, our future at Rutgers is incredibly bright. The additions of Michael and Rick will help us to develop and realize this potential.”
Szul, who started in his new role on May 15, is charged with developing a long-term strategic financial plan for Rutgers Athletics that addresses its operational budget, reserves, anticipated gifts and endowments, debt service and future capital needs. In overseeing the financial management of the department, he will play an integral role in business agreements, negotiations and contracts. Among his many duties will be the oversight of human resources.“There is so much potential here at Rutgers,” said Szul. “I’m thrilled and grateful that Pat Hobbs, Sarah Baumgartner and the Rutgers leadership has provided me this tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with the Rutgers community and our Big Ten Conference peers to further the growth of the Scarlet Knights.”Szul has nearly 20 years of administrative athletics experience that includes financial management, infrastructure enhancement, capital project oversight and ticketing. In Morgantown, Szul was responsible for the athletic business office and management of a $90 million budget, while playing a key role in the department’s transition to the Big 12 Conference. Along with running the day-to-day business affairs, he also oversaw equipment and information technology. Prior to his tenure at WVU (2010-17), he served as Associate Athletic Director at Middle Tennessee State (2005-10), Business Manager at Louisiana State (2001-05), and Ticket Manager at Virginia Military Institute (2000-01).Thorpe, who will begin his new position on June 12, will oversee the strategic direction for strengthening the Rutgers athletic brand and produce an aligned marketing plan for all 24 sports. He will also be responsible for revenue generation, game day atmosphere, digital and social media strategy, and department internal and external communications efforts.
Thorpe will serve as liaison to multi-media rights holders and both develop and execute comprehensive sales, marketing and communication plans for ticket sales.“I’m grateful to Pat Hobbs and Sarah Baumgartner for providing me this incredible opportunity,” said Thorpe. “Growing up in the Northeast, I’ve long respected the excellent reputation that Rutgers University has earned. To now be part of this institution is an honor. We’re going to compete every day to build the Scarlet Knights brand regionally and nationally, to spur on the fandom needed to cheer our teams to victory, and to generate the revenue required to support our student-athletes to the fullest. I can’t wait to get started.”Thorpe has 24 years of leadership experience in collegiate athletics and professional sports, highlighted by successful efforts in major media markets. With Georgia Tech (2012-17), Thorpe oversaw sales, marketing, premium hospitality, corporate involvement, digital and broadcast partnerships, fan experience and spirit group departments. During his tenure, the Yellow Jackets established all-time records in ticket/seat donation/premium revenues, corporate partnership dollars, and was recognized as the top school in the country for leveraging strategic innovation in driving sales and fan engagement. He arrived in Atlanta after serving as Vice President of Tournament Sales and Marketing for the PGA Tour (2006-11). Thorpe also worked as Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Corporate Relations at UConn (2002-06), Associate Director of Marketing at UCLA (1997-02), and Director of Marketing and Promotions at Vanderbilt (1994-97).Szul earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris in 1998 and master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in sport science in December 1999. He and his wife, Erica, have two sons, Dominic and Aaron, and one daughter, Paige Anne.A 1993 graduate of Penn State, Thorpe holds a degree in sports administration with an emphasis in marketing. Originally from Jamestown, N.Y., he is married to the former Andrea Cook and has one son, Oakley.Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics), Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
May 26, 2017
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Hobbs today announced the hiring of Michael Szul as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Finance, Administration and Planning and Rick Thorpe as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs and Strategic Communications. Szul and Thorpe arrive “On the Banks” after serving as Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations at West Virginia University and Associate Athletic Director for Sales & Fan Experience at Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively.“We are very pleased and fortunate to welcome Michael, Rick and their families into the Rutgers community,” said Hobbs. “Both Michael and Rick have extensive experience at BCS conference institutions. More important, they have skill sets to further our mission. As the only BCS school in the nation’s largest media market, our future at Rutgers is incredibly bright. The additions of Michael and Rick will help us to develop and realize this potential.”
Szul, who started in his new role on May 15, is charged with developing a long-term strategic financial plan for Rutgers Athletics that addresses its operational budget, reserves, anticipated gifts and endowments, debt service and future capital needs. In overseeing the financial management of the department, he will play an integral role in business agreements, negotiations and contracts. Among his many duties will be the oversight of human resources.“There is so much potential here at Rutgers,” said Szul. “I’m thrilled and grateful that Pat Hobbs, Sarah Baumgartner and the Rutgers leadership has provided me this tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with the Rutgers community and our Big Ten Conference peers to further the growth of the Scarlet Knights.”Szul has nearly 20 years of administrative athletics experience that includes financial management, infrastructure enhancement, capital project oversight and ticketing. In Morgantown, Szul was responsible for the athletic business office and management of a $90 million budget, while playing a key role in the department’s transition to the Big 12 Conference. Along with running the day-to-day business affairs, he also oversaw equipment and information technology. Prior to his tenure at WVU (2010-17), he served as Associate Athletic Director at Middle Tennessee State (2005-10), Business Manager at Louisiana State (2001-05), and Ticket Manager at Virginia Military Institute (2000-01).Thorpe, who will begin his new position on June 12, will oversee the strategic direction for strengthening the Rutgers athletic brand and produce an aligned marketing plan for all 24 sports. He will also be responsible for revenue generation, game day atmosphere, digital and social media strategy, and department internal and external communications efforts.
Thorpe will serve as liaison to multi-media rights holders and both develop and execute comprehensive sales, marketing and communication plans for ticket sales.“I’m grateful to Pat Hobbs and Sarah Baumgartner for providing me this incredible opportunity,” said Thorpe. “Growing up in the Northeast, I’ve long respected the excellent reputation that Rutgers University has earned. To now be part of this institution is an honor. We’re going to compete every day to build the Scarlet Knights brand regionally and nationally, to spur on the fandom needed to cheer our teams to victory, and to generate the revenue required to support our student-athletes to the fullest. I can’t wait to get started.”Thorpe has 24 years of leadership experience in collegiate athletics and professional sports, highlighted by successful efforts in major media markets. With Georgia Tech (2012-17), Thorpe oversaw sales, marketing, premium hospitality, corporate involvement, digital and broadcast partnerships, fan experience and spirit group departments. During his tenure, the Yellow Jackets established all-time records in ticket/seat donation/premium revenues, corporate partnership dollars, and was recognized as the top school in the country for leveraging strategic innovation in driving sales and fan engagement. He arrived in Atlanta after serving as Vice President of Tournament Sales and Marketing for the PGA Tour (2006-11). Thorpe also worked as Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Corporate Relations at UConn (2002-06), Associate Director of Marketing at UCLA (1997-02), and Director of Marketing and Promotions at Vanderbilt (1994-97).Szul earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris in 1998 and master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in sport science in December 1999. He and his wife, Erica, have two sons, Dominic and Aaron, and one daughter, Paige Anne.A 1993 graduate of Penn State, Thorpe holds a degree in sports administration with an emphasis in marketing. Originally from Jamestown, N.Y., he is married to the former Andrea Cook and has one son, Oakley.Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics), Twitter and Instagram (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates.
