Aug. 22, 2014
DeKALB, Ill. - Jay Vickers, a respected fundraising, ticketing and business administration professional with years of experience in collegiate athletics, has joined the NIU senior athletics administration team as the Huskies' new Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Sport Administration, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier announced Friday.
In his role, Vickers will head NIU's campus and community outreach efforts, and oversee the Huskies' sports performance and equipment operations units. Vickers will put his expertise in the area of revenue generation to use, and will provide direction and leadership as the Huskies engage more former student-athletes in the NIU Varsity Club. He will also serve as the sports administrator for the NIU football program and will take a lead role in the Huskies' current strategic planning process.
With Vickers' arrival, Frazier's senior administration team is in place heading into the 2014-15 academic year.
"I am very pleased to be able to bring Jay Vickers to NIU," Frazier said. "I have no doubt he is going to make an immediate impact on our department that will benefit our current student-athletes, as well as alumni and fans. Jay understands the speed of the game and will move us forward."
Vickers most recently worked in intercollegiate athletics at Wisconsin, where he served as the Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement for two years and managed the Wisconsin Athletic Development and Ticket Operations units that combined to generate an annual revenue of $60 million. Under Vickers' guidance, the UW Development office increased revenue, brand awareness and loyalty through a new website, an annual giving campaign and a revamped endowment program. His cultivation efforts resulted in the growth of Wisconsin's annual fund to well over $12.5 million.
Prior to that, Vickers held athletic development and fundraising roles at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, the University of Arizona and Fresno State University, significantly increasing revenue for each of those athletic departments.
Before working in intercollegiate athletics, Vickers acquired several years of experience as a marketing manager with extensive background in customer service, sales, marketing and management at numerous major corporations, including Pfizer and Hershey's.
"I am very excited to be a member of the NIU community" Vickers said. "NIU is poised for greatness with the leadership of Sean Frazier and I look forward to becoming an integral part of the community, donor base, campus relations and having the opportunity to create and promote sustainable relationships within the entire Huskie family. I am truly grateful to be representing NIU Athletics and advancing the NIU mission while enhancing the experience for all of our tremendous student-athletes."
A graduate of Notre Dame, Vickers was a member of the Fighting Irish football team from 1996-2000 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He has been a member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) since 2007.
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