EDINBURG – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Director of Athletics Chris King announced on Monday a reorganization of the department of intercollegiate athletics, including three promotions involving the executive and senior administrative staff effective September 1, and a search for the newly created Assistant Athletic Director for Development position.
 
The reorganization of the department introduces a more vertical structure, which will encourage communication and collaboration across the department. Three administrative divisions, aligned with how UTRGV will best serve its student-athletes and key stakeholders, have been formed.
 
The three divisions are:
•Business, Capital Projects/Facilities, Development and Ticket Operations
•Student-Athlete Experience and Services
•External Operations.
 
Among the members of the UTRGV athletics staff that have been promoted is former University of Texas-Pan American volleyball student-athlete Chelsea Blakely, who receives a promotion from Associate Athletic Director for External Operations to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. Farrah Manthei earns a promotion from Associate Athletic Director for Student Services/Senior Woman Administrator to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Services/Senior Woman Administrator. David Riggs, previously the Corporate Sponsorship and Ticket Sales Manager, will become the Assistant Athletic Director for Ticket Operations and Sales.
 
King was named UTRGV Director of Athletics last November and began the department's reorganization in May by hiring Lance Morgan as General Manager of Corporate Sales and Sponsorships. Last month, another key member of King's executive leadership team was announced with the appointment of Vince Volpe as Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer. Volpe, Blakely, Manthei and Morgan will report directly to King and form the executive leadership team in the new departmental structure.
 
"We are fortunate to have an outstanding staff within the department of intercollegiate athletics. Like any organization, we are always looking for ways to be more efficient and effective," King said. "With the transition to UTRGV, Dr. [Guy] Bailey and Dr. [Havidán] Rodríguez have charged me with evaluating how we are currently structured administratively and to envision the best structure for the UTRGV athletic department moving forward. The recent creation of the deputy director/chief operating officer and the general manager for corporate sales and sponsorships positions were the first steps in our restructuring of our organizational chart and responsibilities. We have structurally changed our executive leadership positions based on the group of talent we already had on our staff and the talent we have been able to hire recently."
 
Executive Staff
Chris King, Director of Athletics
Vince Volpe, Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer
Chelsea Blakely, Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations
Farrah Manthei, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Services and Senior Woman Administrator
Lance Morgan, General Manager, Corporate Sales and Sponsorships
 
Senior Administrative Staff
Business Office – Raul Betancourt
Compliance – Andres Cantu
Development – TBD
Event Management and Facilities – Adam Mendez
Marketing and Promotions – Sara Hernandez
Media Relations – Jonah Goldberg
Sports Medicine – Jim Lancaster
Strength and Conditioning – Matt Taylor
Ticket Operation and Sales – David Riggs

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