Ball State University Athletics
Mitchell Oversees Staff Re-Organization for Ball State Athletics
October 05, 2023 | General
MUNCIE, Ind. – Emphasizing depth, strength and efficiency, Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell has overseen a staff re-organization over his first six months on the job. The final administrative piece in the re-org puzzle includes this week's addition of Joe McCollum in a newly created post as assistant athletic director for executive operations.
Mitchell, who arrived on campus in March, has added layers of staffing and re-constructed his administrative team to better suit the needs of the Cardinals' 19 sports programs. Chief among the adjustments is Haven Fields, now in his fifth year as deputy athletic director, who has been tabbed the department's number two administrator and will oversee all external operations.
"We win with our people," said Mitchell. "I am excited about the vibrant culture we are building within Ball State athletics. We've added five new positions for depth, promoted several talented individuals for strength, and hired specialists into existing positions for efficiency."
McCollum provides leadership for executive operations working closely with Mitchell alongside other senior administrators including Alex Perry who was recently elevated as executive senior associate athletic director. Perry oversees internal operations for the athletics department that serves the interests of 400-plus student athletes.
Hand-in-hand with the business functions of the department, five-year contributor Ryne Hillenberg has been elevated atop the department's compliance division. A Ball State alum who was named director of athletic compliance in 2019, Hillenberg recently assumed his new role as associate AD for athletic compliance and also provides mentorship and guidance for the department's student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC).
Another newly created position emphasizes the need to fuel and support Cardinal student-athletes. Dr. Lindsey Blom, a former soccer player and coach who has long served as Ball State's faculty athletics representative, was recently tabbed as associate athletic director for championship performance. A professor of sport and exercise psychology, her role will enhance department supervision of sports medicine, strength and conditioning, mental health and nutritional programming.
Related to the health and supervision of Cardinal athletes, longtime Ball State athletic trainer Shawn Comer was promoted to director of sports medicine and Chase Britt was named head football athletic trainer.
Emma Kumar (Crumley), a fundraising and development professional who joined Ball State Athletics in 2021 as associate athletic director for development, has expanded her role with designation as the Cardinals' senior woman administrator establishing her with the rare distinction as SWA and major gifts fundraiser. Other new external facing positions include the hiring of ticket sales and service consultant Blake Williams, and the additions of Morgan White, coordinator of partnership services, and Adam Rouse, manager of new business development, with Ball State Sports Properties.
The program's marketing efforts were amplified during the summer with the naming of Ball State graduates Kevin Mullaney and Josh Grimes to manage fan experience and promotional efforts. Another alum, Mick Tidrow, expanded his role as "Voice of the Cardinals" to include a new full-time position managing digital brand strategy which includes day-to-day oversight of the department's social media endeavors.
Mitchell added, "We're now situated to take bold steps toward a future that best serves our student-athletes. Our constant mission is to develop leaders and winners while contributing to Ball State's commitment to empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives."
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Mitchell, who arrived on campus in March, has added layers of staffing and re-constructed his administrative team to better suit the needs of the Cardinals' 19 sports programs. Chief among the adjustments is Haven Fields, now in his fifth year as deputy athletic director, who has been tabbed the department's number two administrator and will oversee all external operations.
"We win with our people," said Mitchell. "I am excited about the vibrant culture we are building within Ball State athletics. We've added five new positions for depth, promoted several talented individuals for strength, and hired specialists into existing positions for efficiency."
McCollum provides leadership for executive operations working closely with Mitchell alongside other senior administrators including Alex Perry who was recently elevated as executive senior associate athletic director. Perry oversees internal operations for the athletics department that serves the interests of 400-plus student athletes.
Hand-in-hand with the business functions of the department, five-year contributor Ryne Hillenberg has been elevated atop the department's compliance division. A Ball State alum who was named director of athletic compliance in 2019, Hillenberg recently assumed his new role as associate AD for athletic compliance and also provides mentorship and guidance for the department's student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC).
Another newly created position emphasizes the need to fuel and support Cardinal student-athletes. Dr. Lindsey Blom, a former soccer player and coach who has long served as Ball State's faculty athletics representative, was recently tabbed as associate athletic director for championship performance. A professor of sport and exercise psychology, her role will enhance department supervision of sports medicine, strength and conditioning, mental health and nutritional programming.
Related to the health and supervision of Cardinal athletes, longtime Ball State athletic trainer Shawn Comer was promoted to director of sports medicine and Chase Britt was named head football athletic trainer.
Emma Kumar (Crumley), a fundraising and development professional who joined Ball State Athletics in 2021 as associate athletic director for development, has expanded her role with designation as the Cardinals' senior woman administrator establishing her with the rare distinction as SWA and major gifts fundraiser. Other new external facing positions include the hiring of ticket sales and service consultant Blake Williams, and the additions of Morgan White, coordinator of partnership services, and Adam Rouse, manager of new business development, with Ball State Sports Properties.
The program's marketing efforts were amplified during the summer with the naming of Ball State graduates Kevin Mullaney and Josh Grimes to manage fan experience and promotional efforts. Another alum, Mick Tidrow, expanded his role as "Voice of the Cardinals" to include a new full-time position managing digital brand strategy which includes day-to-day oversight of the department's social media endeavors.
Mitchell added, "We're now situated to take bold steps toward a future that best serves our student-athletes. Our constant mission is to develop leaders and winners while contributing to Ball State's commitment to empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives."
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