After 14 years as an administrator and coach with SIUE Cougar athletics, Deputy Athletic Director Jason Coomer is leaving SIUE. Coomer has been named as the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics at Lindenwood University.
Coomer came to SIUE in 2008 and was an integral part of SIUE's transition to NCAA Division I competition. Lindenwood, which begin its transition to NCAA Division I competition July 1, is one of the newest members of the Ohio Valley Conference.
"SIUE will always be special to me," Coomer said. "We have been able to build so much over the past 14 years and I am confident the department will continue to build on the foundation set."
"It's never easy to say goodbye to someone that has been so important to our department," SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall said. "Jason is more than ready for this opportunity, and I am excited for him and his family. I wish him all the success as he guides Lindenwood through its transition and look forward to continuing to work with him as a colleague in the OVC."
Originally hired as an Assistant Athletic Director, Coomer became the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs in 2012. He was elevated to SIUE's first Deputy Athletic Director in 2016. He has had direct oversight of SIUE's corporate partnership program, marketing, ticketing, licensing, fundraising, sports information, facilities, and broadcasting. Coomer has served as the sport administrator for women's basketball, golf, wrestling, men's basketball, women's soccer, track & field and cross country and baseball throughout his tenure at SIUE.
"I would like to thank my colleagues and the student-athletes past and present," Coomer said. "This has been a tremendous experience and I have been honored to be a small part of the department's history."
Coomer oversaw SIUE's corporate partnership program, culminating with a multi-million-dollar naming rights agreement to rename SIUE's basketball and volleyball facility First Community Arena in 2019. He started the SIUE Red and Black Fundraising Event in 2016. The 2022 event raised a record-setting $286,694 for SIUE student-athletes.
He also oversaw the launch of SIUE's first-ever online merchandise store – shopsiuecougars.com. SIUE enjoyed a record-setting year in royalties through merchandising in 2016 yielding a total retail impact of over $1 million.
"I would also like to thank the community for all the support you have shown over the years," Coomer added. "I have a lot of relationships that have grown into great friendships during my time at SIUE on and off campus. I will certainly miss these daily interactions but remaining in the local market will give me the opportunity to visit often."
Original source can be found here.
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