NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin Athletics’ multimedia rights holder Lumberjack Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics – has hired David Warner, Jr. to fill the role of general manager and Dustin Garner to serve as director of development & ticketing.
“We are thrilled to welcome David back to the Learfield family as general manager and to have Dustin on board as our new director of development & ticketing,” said Rachel Palumbo, Learfield vice president of multimedia rights. “They both have extensive experience in their respective fields, and we are confident they will build strong relationship and elevate operations in Nacogdoches as Learfield continues its support of Stephen F. Austin Athletics.”
As general manager, Warner will serve as the primary Learfield liaison related to the university’s comprehensive athletics multimedia rights agreement and corporate partner platform. He will work closely with newly appointed Director of Athletics Michael McBroom and his entire team on all aspects of the Learfield/Stephen F. Austin relationship.
Warner has an extensive background in sales and business development with previous college athletics experience at the University of New Orleans as part of The Aspire Group and at Tulane University and the University of Southern Mississippi as senior manager of business development for Learfield.
“I am thrilled to embark on this journey with Stephen F. Austin and Lumberjack Sports Properties,” said Warner. “The excitement around athletics in Nacogdoches is palpable, and my family and I cannot wait to join the dedicated Lumberjack community.
As director of development and ticketing, Garner will have oversight of ticket sales and operations along with managing the Purple Lights Fund (PLF) and annual giving that supports Stephen F. Austin Athletics. The PLF exists to provide financial support to Stephen F. Austin University student-athletes with the goal of providing a life-changing experience through athletics. Garner joins Lumberjack Sports Properties from Liberty University, where he most recently served as a ticket sales and service consultant and previously as a ticket operations associate.
I am proud to join Lumberjack Sports Properties as the director of development for SFA,” said Garner. “I look forward to jumping right in to elevate ticketing and fundraising to new heights through collaboration with Athletics and the Nacogdoches community”
In addition to its flagship multimedia rights division, Stephen F. Austin’s relationship with Learfield spans it’s full suite of services, including licensed merchandise agency CLC, digital ticket and marketing platform provider Paciolian, ticketing and seat-backs seller Learfield Amplify and digital solutions leader SIDEARM Sports.
ABOUT LEARFIELD
Learfield is a diversified and influential media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 15,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
ABOUT LEARFIELD AMPLIFY
Learfield Amplify represents more than 40 collegiate athletic departments, professional sports teams and related industry organizations nationwide, with more than 200 on-site sales personnel dedicated to serving these respective relationships. The company delivers a total revenue solution across its ticketing, development, premium sales, and seatback business through staff development, high-value expertise, and engaged fan relationships. As the sports industry and fan behavior continues to evolve, Learfield Amplify remains at the forefront of business intelligence through many of its national relationships, leading to increased revenues for teams across the country.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
The SFA Athletic department competes in NCAA Division I athletics. With over 450 student-athletes competing across 18 varsity sports teams, the ’Jacks have built a proud reputation for athletic success both regionally and nationally. SFA has amassed 120 conference championships as well as four national championships in its competition history.
Men’s NCAA Sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field. Women’s NCAA Sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball. SFA moved to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2021 after spending 34 seasons in the Southland Conference. Since joining the WAC, SFA has earned nine conference titles (regular and tournament) and has appeared in three NCAA Tournaments. Bowling is in its first season of competing in Conference USA and beach volleyball is in its second season in the Sun Belt Conference. SFA Cheer is a 16-time NCA National Champion and the SFA Dance Team is a 22-time NDA National Champion.