FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Jan. 30, 2018) – Uri Farkas has been named as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations and Development at Northern Arizona University, it was announced by Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Mike Marlow on Tuesday.
Farkas will join the athletic department's senior leadership team and oversee the external areas including development, marketing, licensing, communications and ticket operations. He will also be heavily involved in community relations as well as assuring that NAU Athletics maintains a great partnership with Learfield Communications.
Since 2014, Farkas has served as the Associate Athletic Director/Executive Director of the Cougar Athletic Fund at Washington State University. During that time, Farkas acted as the chief fundraiser for Washington State Athletics and its 17 intercollegiate athletic programs.
"I am thrilled that Uri Farkas has chosen to join the NAU Athletics Team," Marlow said. "Uri is well known in college athletics as an energetic and talented leader who believes strongly in the mission of higher education and intercollegiate athletics. While he has a very diverse background in terms of experience, it is his external operations expertise that will most immediately assist in moving NAU Athletics to the next level."
He led Washington State to its largest fundraising year in history at $13.1 million in 2017 and was responsible for a 31-percent growth in generated annual revenue from 2015-17. Farkas increased the membership of the Cougar Athletic Fund 15 percent over the last year and has successfully secured capital gifts for facility projects including WSU's $60 million football operations headquarters, which was completed in 2014, a $28 million indoor practice facility and $10 million baseball clubhouse, both of which are currently in the design process.
In addition, Farkas has served as WSU's liaison to IMG for athletic department partnerships with multimedia rights partners and has help aid in the Cougars' marketing and ticket initiatives to increase visibility and sales.
"I am humbled and honored to join the Lumberjack Athletic Team," Farkas said. "I received my start in intercollegiate athletics in the Big Sky Conference and I am so excited to return. Under the leadership of President Cheng and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Mike Marlow, we are poised to take the next step in ensuring a first-class student-athlete experience and competing for championships across the board on an annual basis."
Prior to his stint in Pullman, Farkas held the title of Assistant Athletic Director for Development at the University of California-Berkeley. In addition to being a member of the senior staff, he supervised a team of major gift officers and led the collaborative efforts with University Relations and campus partners to develop numerous successful cross fundraising campaigns.
Farkas was responsible for a fundraising team that collected $8 million in committed pledges in 2014. He successfully managed a portfolio of over 150 high-rated donors and was the key liaison to Cal-Berkeley's premium sales unit that generated $2 million in in premium seat renewals for the 2015 football season.
Farkas began his career in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Oregon as the Associate Director of the Services of Student Athletes. He managed a staff of full-time employees including athletic advisors and learning specialists. He was also responsible for organizing and managing on-campus recruiting activities for the Oregon Ducks football program, including giving presentations at high-profile recruiting events.
He also coordinated meetings for the Oregon football coaching staff, recruits and faculty members and served as the academic advisor for the football and wrestling programs in Eugene.
"Uri's entire family and in particular his wife Megan, will be fantastic additions to the wonderful community in Flagstaff," Marlow said. "This critical hire truly is a package deal that NAU Athletics will benefit greatly from."
Farkas earned his B.A. degree in Journalism at the University of Montana in 1998 and followed with a M.A degree in Sport Management from The Ohio State University in 2000. He will be joined in Flagstaff by his wife, Megan and his three children Reese (13), Tate (8) and Bo (5).
