Friedman Joins Athletics Staff as Associate AD
August 17, 2001 | General
Aug. 17, 2001
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Gary Friedman, who served as Associate Athletics Director at Central Michigan University for the past five years, has joined the University of Louisville as Associate Athletic Director for Development.
The current president of the National Association of College Marketing Administrators (NACMA), Friedman has overseen external operations at Central Michigan since February of 1996 with impressive results. He will oversee the Cardinals' fund-raising efforts, the Cardinal Athletic Fund and special projects.
"I'm very excited about Gary joining our staff," said U of L Director of Athletics Tom Jurich. "He's a strong leader, has an infectious personality and is full of ideas. I believe he can really help us experience rapid growth with his development and marketing background. He was clearly our top choice and is a great fit for our department and this community."
"I'm very excited about joining the staff at Louisville," said Friedman. "I'm really looking forward to working with the staff and community in taking what has been done and trying to enhance each program."
Friedman's efforts helped increase annual fund revenues at Central Michigan by over 60 percent in three years, despite experiencing losing football and basketball seasons. Membership in the support group increased by 50 percent over that same period. He also spearheaded a facilities campaign that surpassed its original goal by $1 million.
Prior to his stint at Central Michigan, Friedman worked nearly five years at East Tennessee State, the first year as its director of marketing and promotions before advancing to assistant athletics director for external operations. There, he aided the Buccaneers in setting new revenue highs by creating new sponsorship and fund-raising programs. He had an administrative role at ETSU over fund-raising, tickets, event management, marketing campaigns, product licensing, scheduling and outreach programs.
Born in Chicago, Friedman earned a bachelor's degree in marketing at Illinois in 1989 and a master's in athletic administration there in 1991. He began his 13 year career in athletics administration at his alma mater, serving as assistant in external operations at Illinois from 1988-91. He is single.
