Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University RedHawks
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Aug. 16, 2001
Jay Gardiner, a former associate athletic director for development at Tulane University, has been named assistant athletic director for development at Miami, athletic director Joel Maturi announced today. Gardiner replaces interim director Bryan Risner, who will resume his previous duties as the director of annual giving.
Gardiner, who recently vacated his position as athletic director at Cincinnati Country Day High School, was responsible for doubling the membership and total annual giving of the Green Wave Athletic Association during his stint at Tulane from 1997-2000. Gardiner also instituted the Tommy Bowden Fund, generating $2.6 million dollars towards the football program and a Baseball Slugger Bird Club, which added an additional $500,000 for baseball facilities and program upgrades.
"We are very pleased to have such an experienced athletic fund-raiser like Jay joining our staff," said Jayne Irvin, Vice President of University Advancement at Miami. "Throughout his career, Jay has always been an innovator, bringing new ideas with him to wherever he has been. That type of ingenuity and enthusiasm will only help the Red and White Club grow in the future."
Prior to his work at Tulane, Gardiner was the athletic director at Bellermine College, a Division II institution in Louisville, K.Y., for three years, where he raised $750,000 as part of a complete athletic facility renovation for the school's 16 sports. Gardiner started his collegiate career in 1985 at Division III St. Mary's College of Maryland, working his way from the position of head men's basketball coach to assistant athletic director in four years.
"Jay is a great addition to Miami athletics," said Maturi. "His diverse background as a coach, administrator and fund-raiser at the college level will give him a unique insight into the job and let him hit the ground running."
A native of New Orleans, La., Gardiner earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Western Maryland College in 1979. As an undergraduate, Gardiner lettered in basketball and lacrosse.
"It's truly an exciting time to be at Miami," Gardiner said. "It is an easy place to call home. I greatly appreciate being given this opportunity."