wadscarman Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 For immediate release June 7, 2010 VAN HORNE NAMED ASSOCIATE ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AKRON , Ohio – George Van Horne has been named Associate Athletics Director for Development, UA Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill announced Monday. “We are thrilled that George is rejoining our athletic department and remaining at his alma mater in this important leadership role,” Wistrcill said. “There is no one more qualified than a former Zip – and one with nearly 10 years of fundraising experience at Akron – to champion our cause with his fellow student-athletes and all of our donors.” Van Horne, who has raised more than $25 million for the University of Akron since 2001, boasts a resume of more than nine years of fundraising experience – all at the University. Van Horne served as the Director of Development for Athletics from 2001-04 and most recently was the Director of Development for Major Gifts at the University for the past three years. “I am excited to be working with our donors, alumni, friends of Zips Athletics, coaches and the entire Athletics staff to help shape the future of our student-athletes by building a sustainable, financially strong department through philanthropic support,” Van Horne said. Van Horne, who was a pitcher on the Zips’ baseball team from 1994-97, played an integral role in the University completing its “Aspire. Attain. Advance.” Capital Campaign, which reached its goal one year ahead of schedule and $106.5 million above the initial campaign target of $500 million. Over the last three years, Van Horne secured transformational gifts for the University and the programs the gifts support. In 2007, he brought in the $4.64 million Louis and Freda Stile gift to name the Athletics Field House, the largest gift from an individual in Zips Athletics history. Later that same year, he raised $2.1 million for The Margaret Clark Morgan Endowment Directorship for The Archives of the History of American Psychology. The former Zips southpaw began his professional career as a graduate assistant in the University’s Department of Athletics in 1999. After nine months, Van Horne was named Interim Assistant Athletics Director/Compliance Coordinator and eventually became the Compliance Coordinator and Events Manager. In 2001, he moved to athletics development and quickly earned the respect of colleagues and donors while raising funds to support the new Athletics Field House, Indoor Golf Facility, Lee Jackson Football Practice Field and restructured the Men’s Basketball Seat License program, which generated an additional $156,000 from the previous year. Van Horne was the Director of Development for the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s oldest and largest college, from 2004-07. During that time, he designed the college’s $50 million capital campaign and the $30 million capital campaign for the Archives of the History of American Psychology. A double graduate of the University of Akron , Van Horne, who will officially begin his new position on June 14, earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science. He lives with his wife, Beth, and daughter, Lillian, in Tallmadge , Ohio . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Thanks Carman, George is one of the Good Guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Good to see. He's the right guy for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-mann17 Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Good to see. He's the right guy for the job. Are you sure? He is a Wistrcill hire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 George is a solid hire. He's always been extremely friendly and helpful. I'm happy for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Good to see. He's the right guy for the job. Are you sure? He is a Wistrcill hire. More like a Proenza hire. He's been around long before Tom Wistrcill ever perplexed our spell-checkers here at Akron. This isn't some outside person brought in from TW's buddy system, it's a person who has done some great things for the university like secure the Stile donation for the fieldhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted June 8, 2010 Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 Best hire I have seen in a while. Good luck George! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksu sucks Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 This isn't some outside person brought in from TW's buddy system Wait, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you one of the biggest opponents of hiring Hunter as the new AD? Something along the lines of, "we need outsiders with fresh ideas"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 This isn't some outside person brought in from TW's buddy system Wait, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you one of the biggest opponents of hiring Hunter as the new AD? Something along the lines of, "we need outsiders with fresh ideas"? Fresh ideas... I was opposed to Hunter, because I didn't see any progress from the areas he was in charge of. I wasn't happy with who we chose over him, though, when comparing qualifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-mann17 Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 This isn't some outside person brought in from TW's buddy system Wait, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't you one of the biggest opponents of hiring Hunter as the new AD? Something along the lines of, "we need outsiders with fresh ideas"? Fresh ideas... I was opposed to Hunter, because I didn't see any progress from the areas he was in charge of. I wasn't happy with who we chose over him, though, when comparing qualifications. Wow kid, you keep on spinning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted June 11, 2010 Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 George, What the heck are you thinking!?!? You are too smart to go back to Athletics being surrounded by morons. I hope you left the door open to go back to civilized fundraising after you realized what a huge mistake this is. Then again, if you're happy, I'm happy. Cheers, GP1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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