Sept. 23, 2008
PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson announced today the promotions of seven members of the athletic department staff. The promotions include:
· Chris Ferris (marketing) and Maureen Anderson (development), who were both named associate athletic directors for their respective areas.
· Dan Bartholomae (compliance), Amy Niceswanger (development) and John Abrams (Heinz Field operations) were named assistant athletic directors.
· Additionally, Greg Hotchkiss was named director of media relations, while Mendy Nestor was promoted to the position of associate director of media relations.
Ferris, who earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, is in his 11th year with the Pitt Athletic Department. An integral figure in the Panthers’ marketing and ticketing efforts, he is a chief coordinator of the various fan festivities surrounding Pitt football at Heinz Field this year.
Anderson, a veteran of Pitt’s development efforts, has had great success fundraising for the athletic department. Now in her 11th year with the Panthers, she is concentrating her efforts on major gift fundraising for facilities, endowments and programs.
Bartholomae, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and his MBA from Pitt, has served as the director of compliance the past three years, working closely with Donna Sanft. With Sanft’s recent elevation to executive associate athletic director, he will now oversee all facets of the day-to-day compliance program, including interpretation of NCAA rules and educating the Pitt staff on rules and compliance issues.
Niceswanger has been a valuable contributor to Pitt’s fundraising efforts over the past decade. She has directed the Panther Club and its annual fundraising campaign the past three years. Niceswanger owns both her bachelor’s degree and MBA from Pitt.
Abrams oversees the comprehensive event management of Pitt football at Heinz Field. Now in his 11th year with the Pitt Athletic Department, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Slippery Rock University.
Hotchkiss has been responsible for the publicity of the Panthers’ nationally visible men’s basketball program, promoting such All-Americans as Brandin Knight and Aaron Gray. The Franklin College graduate is in his seventh year working in the Pitt media relations office and, with this promotion, will see his administrative oversight expand.
Nestor is in her third year serving with the Pitt media relations office. The recipient of the 2008 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) “Rising Star” award, she has been a primary media contact for the Panthers’ football, baseball and women’s basketball teams. Nestor, a graduate of West Virginia University, was significantly involved in Pitt’s hosting of the 2007 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament opening rounds.
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