BURLINGTON, Vt. – Learfield announced today that UVM alumna Alicia Hawks will oversee its local team, Vermont Sports Properties, that is dedicated to representing the Catamounts’ multimedia rights and sponsorship initiatives.
Yesterday Hawks assumed the general manager position previously held by Mike MacConnell, who now holds that role for Learfield’s Big Green Sports Properties at Dartmouth College. Hawks’ promotion to general manager follows three years of successfully serving as Vermont Sports Properties’ manager-business development. She and MacConnell worked closely together establishing Learfield’s UVM property and building the corporate partner platform in 2015, the year the college marketer was awarded the Cats’ long-term multimedia rights.
Hawks will serve as the key Learfield liaison between UVM’s Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman and his athletics administration. Hawks gained quality corporate sales and marketing experience prior to working for her alma mater, having served with Hilton Hotels Worldwide and the NFL’s Denver Broncos. She continues to volunteer and sit on the board of the Flyin Ryan Foundation, a non-profit inspired by her late brother, Ryan.
“We’re thrilled to have Alicia take on this new role, and I’m fully confident in her ability to continue the positive momentum that has been building under Mike MacConnell’s leadership,” said Schulman. “Alicia knows UVM Athletics, has great relationships in the community and is ideally positioned to help move us forward during what is certain to be an exciting time for our teams, fans, and partners.”
“Being a part of the team since Vermont Sports Properties first started, I am confident through collaboration with UVM Athletics, we can successfully advance our mutual goals as we enter this exciting new chapter for the partnership,” said Hawks, a South Burlington native. “As a former Catamount student-athlete, I feel privileged to share my affinity of the Catamounts’ brand to businesses looking to align with Vermont’s most passionate fans!”
In addition to Vermont, Learfield manages the multimedia and sponsorship rights for nearly 130 collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas, in addition to supporting athletic departments at all competitive levels as title sponsor of the prestigious Learfield Directors’ Cup.