Jill Bodensteiner J.D., director of athletics, put the goal of the extensive changes that took place within the athletics department this summer into one word: integration.
Over the course of the last academic year, Bodensteiner said she assessed the department’s goals and planned out how to align the personnel to meet those goals. This involved bringing in new faces, and in some cases, creating new positions.
“Think of the overlap between marketing and communications.” Bodensteiner said. “Here comes Rob Sullivan, one person overseeing both marketing and communications so we can make sure they are integrated.”
Sullivan ’06, was brought back to Hawk Hill as senior associate athletic director of external affairs. Sullivan is a former St. Joe’s basketball player who was a member of the 2004 perfect season team. After graduating he went on to take the role as director of basketball operations for the Hawks for 10 seasons. Sullivan returns from a three year hiatus from his alma mater to take on his new role.
Sullivan was one of the first people Bodensteiner met when she took the position as director of athletics. She stated that she immediately appreciated the knowledge and passion Sullivan brought for St. Joe’s athletics.
“Rob always brought the energy and the ideas and wasn’t afraid to push back when he did disagree with me,” Bodensteiner said. “I need that.”
Sullivan’s main focus is crafting engaging content that displays the stories behind the student athletes on campus. A heightened social media presence and a preference toward athlete-driven content—much like articles in the “Players’ Tribune”—are areas the athletic department is hoping to expand on.
“For me, it is all about the student athletes and how they can tell their story,” Sullivan said. “I can be a resource or an asset for them to brand their own image and tell their own story about their experience on Hawk Hill. That will be a major initiative.”
Sullivan said his background as a student athlete helps him relate to the stories he is trying to tell. Christina Foggie, the new director of special projects and former Vanderbilt University women’s basketball standout, feels the same way.
“[As former student-athletes] we’ve done 5 a.m. workouts, we have done study hall and academics with athletics,” Foggie said. “I think it is great to have some representation in athletic administration for athletes to say ‘Hey, that person did what I did.’”
After Foggie played basketball at Vanderbilt, she played professionally, being drafted by the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. She has spent the past four years working with the St. Joe’s women’s basketball team as a video coordinator while getting her masters in organizational development and leadership.
Over the summer, Foggie was promoted to her new role as director of special projects and special assistant to the athletic director. Now she works closely with Bodensteiner preparing data and reports for upcoming projects.
“I am her right-hand woman if you will,” Foggie said. “It is just helping her with managing projects within the athletic department. It is nice to see what is going on on Hawk Hill and help move those things forward.”
With new projects being completed, like the new basketball court installed in Michael J. ’85 Hagan Arena, Foggie said she can feel an energy building within the athletic department.
“There is just a buzz in the air,” Foggie said. “We are really on our way to doing some great things here.”
Bodensteiner is hoping that these new projects and changes to the fan experience can generate more interest among Hawks fans.
“We have waived ticket fees for the students but we know that doesn’t automatically mean they are going to show up,” Bodensteiner said. “We have to do a better job finding out what their interests are and how we can meet those.”
With the help of her new staff, Bodensteiner is attempting to continue to improve upon the athletics experience while also staying true to the history of St. Joe’s.
“Are people still able to appreciate seeing the St. Joe’s that we know and love while also seeing some innovation?” Bodensteiner said. “We want to keep people on their toes and show some innovation. We are playing sports so let’s have some fun with it.”
