Mercyhurst University issued the following announcement on July 12.
Mercyhurst University announced on Thursday, July 12, that Bradley Davis has been hired as its new Athletic Director. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Davis comes to Mercyhurst from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, where he has worked in athletics for the past 11 years, most recently as Associate Athletic Director for External Relations.
“We eagerly anticipate Brad and his wife Kristin joining the Mercyhurst University community and continuing to build upon our winning tradition in academics and athletics,” said Mercyhurst President Michael T. Victor. “Brad is a high-energy leader with a passion for collegiate athletics and we look forward to his collaboration with our great coaches and staff as they work together to positively affect the lives of our student-athletes and to achieve new heights.”
Davis assumes the Mercyhurst AD position in October, replacing Joe Kimball, who retired last spring after nine years in the top post. In addition to managing the Lakers, Davis will also oversee the Saints athletics program at Mercyhurst North East.
“My family and I are thrilled and humbled to be joining the Mercyhurst community,” said Davis. “I am incredibly grateful to President Michael Victor, Dr. Laura Zirkle, Jeanette Britt, and the entire search committee for this exciting opportunity. I am eager to work with such a talented and dedicated group of students, coaches, administrators, faculty and alumni as we collectively build on the success of our programs and pursue the bold and ambitious goals that have been charted for the department and the university.”
A member of the senior administration at Merrimack, which was awarded the Northeast-10 President’s Cup for all-around athletic excellence in 2018, Davis helps oversee the college’s 24 varsity programs and 18 club sports. Like Mercyhurst, Merrimack competes at the NCAA Division II level while its men’s and women’s hockey programs compete at Division I. Among his responsibilities are managing all aspects of external relations including marketing and promotions, corporate sponsorship, imaging, game operations, ticketing, the athletics website, social media, multimedia and athletic communications.
Davis began his career at Merrimack as the Sports Information Director from 2007 to 2011, moving on to Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations from 2011 to 2012 before assuming his current position.
Under Davis’ leadership, Merrimack increased its external revenue for eight straight years. He created the Merrimack Sports Network and was closely involved in the expansion of the athletic department from 16 to 24 varsity programs and from 5 to 18 club sports.
Davis is a member of the Northeast-10's Conference on Sports Administration Committee (CSA) and a member of the league's Hall of Fame Committee. He also serves on the NCAA National Committee for men's lacrosse after a previous term on the Regional Advisory Committee for softball.
Prior to Merrimack, Davis worked at Bryant University (RI) where he served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications for 13 months. He covered high school sports for the Metro West Daily News in Framingham, Massachusetts, and spent time interning with KGO ABC-7 Sports in San Francisco and in the media relations department for the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
“We conducted a thorough recruitment and selection process in collaboration with Athletics Staffing and Consulting, and Brad Davis clearly emerged as a natural fit for us,” said Laura Zirkle, Vice President for Student Life and Athletics. “He brings extensive experience to the position, not to mention a passion for his work. We look forward to significant growth and development for our student athletics programs under his leadership.”
Davis will be moving to Erie with his wife Kristin and their dog Kipper. They are expecting their first child, a boy, this August.
Original source can be found here.
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