CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Learfield – the multimedia rightsholder for University of Illinois Athletics – today introduced Luke Reiff as general manager, Fighting Illini Sports Properties (FISP), the collegiate marketer’s local team solely dedicated to representing Illinois Athletics.
Reiff, a seasoned sports marketer, relocates to Champaign from Toledo, Ohio, where he served nearly three years in the same capacity for Learfield’s Rocket Sports Properties at the University of Toledo. Prior to joining Learfield in 2014, he spent 12 years in minor league baseball serving in roles which included vice president for New Hampshire Fisher Cats; general manager for Stockton Ports (CA); director of group sales for Fresno Grizzlies (CA) and stadium operations intern for the Indianapolis Indians.
Reiff will guide Learfield’s Champaign team and work alongside Director of Athletics Josh Whitman and the entire athletics administration. FISP oversees the university’s comprehensive athletics rights including signage, television, radio, digital and the corporate partner program.
“We are excited to have Luke as a part of our team at Fighting Illini Sports Properties,” said University of Illinois Senior Associate Athletics Director, Business Development Marty Kaufmann. “It is an exciting time to be a part of Illinois Athletics, and we look forward to Luke and the entire Fighting Illini Sports Properties team working with us to expand our brand awareness locally, regionally, and throughout the nation.”
“Luke did exceptional work at Toledo, and we firmly believe he’ll be an immediate asset to our Illinois team and what we intend to accomplish in Champaign. We’re excited to have him leading Fighting Illini Sports Properties,” said Learfield Vice President Tom Wistrcill.
An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to Illinois, it manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for nearly 130 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, and supports athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup. Learfield also provides its collegiate partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; branding, licensing and trademark consulting; digital and social platform expertise; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.