Northwestern University Athletics
Tyler Jones Joins 'Cats As Senior Associate A.D. for External Operations
9/8/2021 10:57:00 AM | General
Former dual-sport D1 student-athlete comes to Evanston from Cleveland State University,
EVANSTON, Illinois – Tyler Jones has been named Northwestern's senior associate athletic director for external operations, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg announced Wednesday. His oversight will include the revenue-producing units of the department, including ticket sales and operations, corporate sponsorships, and marketing and advertising, as well as community relations.
Jones joins the Wildcats from Cleveland State University where he has served as deputy director of athletics for external operations in July 2019. He oversaw all of the department's external units and functions including ticket sales, marketing, fan engagement, development, corporate partnerships, branding, media relations and communications, and served as the administrator for multiple sport programs.
Under Jones' leadership CSU increased men's basketball attendance by 50% and pushed season ticket sales to their highest point in nearly a decade. He helped reestablish the department's annual giving program and led an advancement team that secured a record 2500+ gifts and pledges, one of the most successful fundraising years in program history. In consecutive years, Jones' media relations team was noted by 'Athletic Director U' as one the top-performing digital media units in the country.
Prior to his tenure at Cleveland State, Jones spent six years in the Big Ten Conference on the athletics marketing/fan development staff at Ohio State. He joined the Buckeyes athletic department in 2013 as the assistant director for fan experience and promotions and was quickly elevated to director of fan experience and promotions in 2014. Jones was promoted to assistant athletics director for fan engagement in 2016 where he oversaw, and provided leadership, for the fan experience, marketing and creative design units. He managed a budget of over $1 million and developed and executed revenue campaigns through sponsorships and ticket sales. Jones also served as a liaison for trademark licensing and the Ohio State marching band.
Jones led marketing and promotional efforts for revenue generation through ticket sales for Ohio State football. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes recorded the highest average attendance in university history in 2017. He also led marketing initiatives for men's and women's basketball, men's ice hockey, wrestling, women's gymnastics, softball and men's volleyball. Under Jones' leadership, his marketing team set 26 attendance records, while increasing ticket sales and attendance for 11 sport programs.
Jones has also been heavily engaged in professional development and mentorship throughout his career, and recently served a term on the board for the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA). He attended the D-1A Athletics Directors Institute in 2015 and the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2016 and, at Ohio State, served as a leader of the Wolstein Leadership Academy for Buckeye student-athletes.
Prior to his time in Columbus, Jones served as the head of athletics marketing and promotions at his alma mater, Eastern Michigan, and also was a marketing and sales assistant at University of Tennessee.
Jones was a standout on the Eastern Michigan football team from 2004-09. During his senior season, Jones was elected captain, named the team's most valuable player and tied the NCAA Division I record when he hauled in 23 receptions in a victory over Central Michigan. Following the conclusion of the football season, Jones captained the Eastern Michigan basketball team where he averaged 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing and business, and a Master of Science degree in sport management from Eastern Michigan.
Jones joins the Wildcats from Cleveland State University where he has served as deputy director of athletics for external operations in July 2019. He oversaw all of the department's external units and functions including ticket sales, marketing, fan engagement, development, corporate partnerships, branding, media relations and communications, and served as the administrator for multiple sport programs.
Under Jones' leadership CSU increased men's basketball attendance by 50% and pushed season ticket sales to their highest point in nearly a decade. He helped reestablish the department's annual giving program and led an advancement team that secured a record 2500+ gifts and pledges, one of the most successful fundraising years in program history. In consecutive years, Jones' media relations team was noted by 'Athletic Director U' as one the top-performing digital media units in the country.
Prior to his tenure at Cleveland State, Jones spent six years in the Big Ten Conference on the athletics marketing/fan development staff at Ohio State. He joined the Buckeyes athletic department in 2013 as the assistant director for fan experience and promotions and was quickly elevated to director of fan experience and promotions in 2014. Jones was promoted to assistant athletics director for fan engagement in 2016 where he oversaw, and provided leadership, for the fan experience, marketing and creative design units. He managed a budget of over $1 million and developed and executed revenue campaigns through sponsorships and ticket sales. Jones also served as a liaison for trademark licensing and the Ohio State marching band.
Jones led marketing and promotional efforts for revenue generation through ticket sales for Ohio State football. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes recorded the highest average attendance in university history in 2017. He also led marketing initiatives for men's and women's basketball, men's ice hockey, wrestling, women's gymnastics, softball and men's volleyball. Under Jones' leadership, his marketing team set 26 attendance records, while increasing ticket sales and attendance for 11 sport programs.
Jones has also been heavily engaged in professional development and mentorship throughout his career, and recently served a term on the board for the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA). He attended the D-1A Athletics Directors Institute in 2015 and the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2016 and, at Ohio State, served as a leader of the Wolstein Leadership Academy for Buckeye student-athletes.
Prior to his time in Columbus, Jones served as the head of athletics marketing and promotions at his alma mater, Eastern Michigan, and also was a marketing and sales assistant at University of Tennessee.
Jones was a standout on the Eastern Michigan football team from 2004-09. During his senior season, Jones was elected captain, named the team's most valuable player and tied the NCAA Division I record when he hauled in 23 receptions in a victory over Central Michigan. Following the conclusion of the football season, Jones captained the Eastern Michigan basketball team where he averaged 4.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
He earned his undergraduate degree in marketing and business, and a Master of Science degree in sport management from Eastern Michigan.
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