UW Athletics Announces Executive Leadership Updates
July 20, 2021 | General
SEATTLE โ University of Washington Director of Athletics, Jennifer Cohen, announced today that Jamaal Walton has been hired as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration & Strategic Initiatives. Additionally, it was announced that as part of a restructure of the department's external units, Jay Hilbrands has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations and will oversee the areas of marketing, branding, creative, digital & social media and strategic communications. Both Walton and Hilbrands will serve on Cohen's Executive Staff. ย
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Walton comes to the UW from the College of Charleston where he served as Associate Athletic Director for External Relations. In his role, Walton will have oversight of several sport programs and department units, lead the department's strategic initiatives, including NIL, as well as assist Cohen on special projects and serve as a liaison to campus partners. ย
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"Jamaal and his wonderful family are an excellent addition to the Husky community," said Cohen. "As a former student-athlete, Jamaal has a strong commitment to the student-athlete experience and brings a unique background to this role that will greatly benefit all of our stakeholders. His professional experiences at College of Charleston, Alabama and Oklahoma will bring great perspective and his leadership will be a strong asset to our executive staff and entire department, and I can't wait for him to get started." ย ย
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"First, I would like to thank Jen Cohen and the University of Washington for providing my family and I this great opportunity," said Walton. "Secondly, I would like to thank Matt Roberts and the College of Charleston for preparing me for this next step in my career. I'm fired up to join the Husky Athletics Department because they put their student athletes first and prepare them for the classroom, competition, and life after sports."ย
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In his role at the College of Charleston, Walton oversaw all aspects of the department's communications, creative content, licensing, marketing & promotions, multimedia, facilities & operations, spirit & band, and ticket operations & sales. Additionally, he served as sport administrator for equestrian and men's soccer, while also serving as the department's Diversity & Inclusion designee. ย
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Prior to his time in Charleston, Walton was the Director of Marketing and Promotions at the University of Alabama from 2012-2017 where he was responsible for the Crimson Tide's marketing efforts for all 21 varsity programs. Before making the move to Tuscaloosa, he held the role of Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions at the University of Oklahoma from 2010-2012.ย
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A 2007 graduate Virginia Military Institute, Walton earned his bachelor's degree in biology. A four-year letter winner and captain on the VMI football team, Walton was also named class president. He went on to earn a master's degree from Florida State University in integrated marketing and communication. Walton will be joined by his wife, Marci, a native of Sumner, Wash., and daughter, Zadie, and son, Krew.ย
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Walton will assume his duties on July 26. ย ย
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In an effort to continue to strengthen the UW's brand, the department has committed several resources to boost its external presence, which will be led by Hilbrands. The updated structure includes the addition of multiple positions within the digital and creative services units to help further storytelling, personal brand-building and recruiting opportunities and efforts for student-athletes and coaches, as well as external engagement with fans, alumni and supporters. ย
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"We are thrilled to promote Jay into this critical role for our department," said Cohen. "Over the past few years, Jay has developed a reputation both internally and externally as an innovative, energetic and selfless leader who inspires excellence. His passion to create meaningful connections and experiences for our recruits, student-athletes, coaches/staff, community and fans is evident in all that he does. He will work tirelessly to support a championship culture for our Huskies." ย ย
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Hilbrands started at the UW in 2018 as Assistant Athletic Director for Public Relations and was elevated to Associate Athletic Director for Public Relations in 2020. He is married to his wife, Caitie, and they welcomed a son, Birk, last month. ย
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Walton comes to the UW from the College of Charleston where he served as Associate Athletic Director for External Relations. In his role, Walton will have oversight of several sport programs and department units, lead the department's strategic initiatives, including NIL, as well as assist Cohen on special projects and serve as a liaison to campus partners. ย
ย
"Jamaal and his wonderful family are an excellent addition to the Husky community," said Cohen. "As a former student-athlete, Jamaal has a strong commitment to the student-athlete experience and brings a unique background to this role that will greatly benefit all of our stakeholders. His professional experiences at College of Charleston, Alabama and Oklahoma will bring great perspective and his leadership will be a strong asset to our executive staff and entire department, and I can't wait for him to get started." ย ย
ย
"First, I would like to thank Jen Cohen and the University of Washington for providing my family and I this great opportunity," said Walton. "Secondly, I would like to thank Matt Roberts and the College of Charleston for preparing me for this next step in my career. I'm fired up to join the Husky Athletics Department because they put their student athletes first and prepare them for the classroom, competition, and life after sports."ย
ย
In his role at the College of Charleston, Walton oversaw all aspects of the department's communications, creative content, licensing, marketing & promotions, multimedia, facilities & operations, spirit & band, and ticket operations & sales. Additionally, he served as sport administrator for equestrian and men's soccer, while also serving as the department's Diversity & Inclusion designee. ย
ย
Prior to his time in Charleston, Walton was the Director of Marketing and Promotions at the University of Alabama from 2012-2017 where he was responsible for the Crimson Tide's marketing efforts for all 21 varsity programs. Before making the move to Tuscaloosa, he held the role of Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions at the University of Oklahoma from 2010-2012.ย
ย
A 2007 graduate Virginia Military Institute, Walton earned his bachelor's degree in biology. A four-year letter winner and captain on the VMI football team, Walton was also named class president. He went on to earn a master's degree from Florida State University in integrated marketing and communication. Walton will be joined by his wife, Marci, a native of Sumner, Wash., and daughter, Zadie, and son, Krew.ย
ย
Walton will assume his duties on July 26. ย ย
ย
In an effort to continue to strengthen the UW's brand, the department has committed several resources to boost its external presence, which will be led by Hilbrands. The updated structure includes the addition of multiple positions within the digital and creative services units to help further storytelling, personal brand-building and recruiting opportunities and efforts for student-athletes and coaches, as well as external engagement with fans, alumni and supporters. ย
ย
"We are thrilled to promote Jay into this critical role for our department," said Cohen. "Over the past few years, Jay has developed a reputation both internally and externally as an innovative, energetic and selfless leader who inspires excellence. His passion to create meaningful connections and experiences for our recruits, student-athletes, coaches/staff, community and fans is evident in all that he does. He will work tirelessly to support a championship culture for our Huskies." ย ย
ย
Hilbrands started at the UW in 2018 as Assistant Athletic Director for Public Relations and was elevated to Associate Athletic Director for Public Relations in 2020. He is married to his wife, Caitie, and they welcomed a son, Birk, last month. ย
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