Horizon League Names Joel Barnhill as Assistant Commissioner for Marketing, Licensing and Event Operations
Sept. 7, 2006
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INDIANAPOLIS --- Joel Barnhill, who has served in the athletics department at the University of Cincinnati for the past four years, has been named Assistant Commissioner for Marketing, Licensing and Event Operations at the Horizon League office, Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone announced Thursday, Sept. 7.
Barnhill, who will begin his new position Sept. 18, comes to the League following four years at UC as Assistant Athletic Director, Ticket Sales and Promotions. His primary duties have included coordination and implementation of the annual ticket sales campaigns for football and men's and women's basketball as well as the liaison to marketing rights holder, ISP Sports. In addition, he was the co-chair of the committee for the Grand Opening of the Richard E. Lindner Varsity Village, UC's recent multi-million dollar facilities renovation.
"We are pleased to be able to add a veteran athletics administrator like Joel to our staff," said LeCrone. "His demonstrated success in ticket sales and promotions will be essential as we strive to build attendance and interest in regular-season events and our 19 Horizon League championships."
In his role at the Horizon League, Barnhill will coordinate the conference's marketing and licensing efforts with a focus on increasing attendance and enhancing the championship experience at each of the League's 19 postseason tournaments in addition to increasing viewership of its official web site at www.horizonleague.org and comprehensive video streaming initiative. He also will serve as the staff liaison to Nelligan Sports Marketing and Strategic Marketing Affiliates for outside sales and licensing, and be the tournament liaison for the men's soccer and baseball championships. In addition, Barnhill will play an integral role in upcoming NCAA championships to be co-hosted by the Horizon League and member institution Butler University.
"I am excited and energized to join the Horizon League," said Barnhill. "Given the tight geographic proximity of the Horizon League's member institutions, there are some opportunities we can leverage in order to heighten attendance as well as brand awareness within and for the League. I look forward to establishing a relationship with all of those associated with the Horizon League and will work to assist our member institutions achieve new standards in attendance and ticket revenue."
Prior to joining the UC athletics deparment, Barnhill was the Director, Clear Channel Events and Event Producer for Clear Channel Communcations, Inc., in Cincinnati from 1997-2002. One of his main responsibilities in that role was conducting the annual Riverfest event on Labor Day weekend, featuring the Toyota/WEBN Fireworks, one of the nation's largest single-day events. Among his other related experience, he previously was the Special Events Manager for the Downtown Council/Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce from 1996-97 and Golf Tournament Operations Manager for Riber Sports Marketing/Dynasport from 1992-95.
A native of Loudonville, Ohio, Barnhill holds two degrees from Miami (Ohio) University -- a bachelor's in liberal arts in 1987 and a master's in sports organization in 1993. Barnhill is an active member of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA). He and his wife, the former Krysti Wittman, have two children.
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Comprised of nine public and private institutions of higher learning, the Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference that sponsors 19 intercollegiate championship sports and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The League and its member institutions aspire to teach young people, through athletic competition, the value of learning, service to others and personal responsibility.
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Horizon League -- Named Joel Barnhill Assistant Commissioner for Marketing, Licensing and Event Operations
