Razorback Athletics Administrative Team Announced
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Entering into his first full academic year at the University of Arkansas, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek has announced a new administrative structure for the department of intercollegiate athletics. Yurachek was hired by Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz last December and he recently completed his first semester in charge of Razorback Athletics.
“Since arriving on campus, I have spent time getting to know members of our team, the roles they play and how we can best collectively meet the needs of the Razorback program,” Yurachek said. “We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of administrators and staff members who are dedicated to serving our student-athletes and helping them succeed in all aspects of their collegiate experience. Within our new structure, we will continue to serve our student-athletes, coaches and Razorback fans, both effectively and efficiently, while focusing on our mission of building Razorbacks and champions for life.”
Yurachek promoted three members of his staff to his director’s cabinet and to the title of deputy athletics director (AD). Julie Cromer Peoples will be deputy AD for external engagement and administration and oversee external units including communications, broadcast services, ticket sales, revenue generation, marketing and licensing. Cromer Peoples also serves as the football and women’s golf sport administrator. As the deputy AD for student-athlete experience, Jon Fagg will oversee the areas of academic services, student-athlete development, compliance, sports medicine, sports nutrition, strength and conditioning and sports psychology. In addition, Fagg is the sport administrator for men’s basketball and soccer. Clayton Hamilton, the deputy AD for internal engagement, finance and capital projects, will continue to serve as the department’s chief financial officer and have administrative oversight of various areas including finance, business operations, human resources, IT, ticket operations, event operations, facilities and maintenance. He also is the sport administrator for both the men’s and women’s tennis programs.
Long-time Razorback administrators Chris Pohl and Kevin Trainor were elevated to senior associate athletics directors. In addition to her previous roles in event management and as the sport administrator for gymnastics and softball, Pohl will oversee a newly created unit focused on enhancing guest experiences at all Razorback events. Trainor will continue to lead the department’s public relations efforts, in addition to his duties as the baseball sport administrator.
Joining Pohl (guest experience and event management) and Trainor (public relations) on the senior staff are fellow senior associates Chris Freet (revenue generation and communications), Derita Ratcliffe (student-athlete experience), Matt Trantham (capital projects, facility maintenance, grounds and equipment). Freet added sport oversight of volleyball while Ratcliffe (women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country and track and field) and Trantham (men’s golf) will maintain their sport administrator duties.
The University of Arkansas System announced that Matt McCoy has been named as senior associate general counsel for athletics. McCoy is part of the Office of the General Counsel and works closely with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He is an advising member of the department’s Senior Staff.
Several other members of the department’s leadership team also received promotions. Felecia Saine was named Associate AD for Academics. Saine had previously served as the Director of Academics. Aaron Parris was promoted to Associate AD for Premium Seat Services and Guest Experience. Julie Cain was promoted to Assistant AD for Event Management. Will Landreth was promoted to Assistant AD for Compliance. Andrew Roberts was promoted to Assistant AD for Finance and Reporting. Heather England has been named Director of Premium Seat Services.
The department has also filled two existing positions that were previously vacated. Lacy Needham has joined Razorback Athletics from Texas State University and will serve as the Assistant AD for Business Operations. Mike Cawood joins Arkansas as the associate director of communications, working with men’s basketball and men’s golf. He is the nephew of former University of Arkansas Sports Information Director and longtime NCAA administrator the late Dave Cawood.
