Tigers Reorganize Athletic Development

Stockton, Calif. – University of the Pacific’s Associate Director of Athletics for Development Tim Dickson has announced the reorganization of the Athletic Development department for the new year. With the changes, Chris Lynn has been named Assistant Director of Athletics for Development while Mike Becker has been named the Athletics Annual Giving Manager. In addition, the Tigers have added Brianne Rodriguez as the new Coordinator of Athletics Development.

Chris Lynn has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Development where he will serve as Executive Director of the Pacific Athletic Foundation (PAF) as well as a major gifts fundraiser for athletics facility projects and endowments. In addition, Chris will now be a member of the athletics senior staff, oversee the three-person PAF staff, manage the PAF Board, and is the sports supervisor for Men’s and Women’s Swimming.  

Chris joined Pacific Athletics in June 2011 as Assistant Director of Athletics for Annual Giving, overseeing the Pacific Athletic Foundation, athletics special events, and assisting with annual giving initiatives for Pacific’s 18 intercollegiate athletics teams. Since arriving in 2011, PAF cash donations have increased from $144,000 to $400,000, PAF Membership from 245 Members to 560, and Fund Drive Worker participation has increased from 24 volunteers to 56.

Chris came to Pacific after spending the previous three years as the Assistant Director for Athletic Development for the Miner Athletic Club at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). 

Mike Becker has accepted a new role as the Athletics Annual Giving Manager. In this new position, Becker will assist the Pacific Athletic Foundation (PAF) in their annual giving initiatives for the Tigers 18 intercollegiate athletic teams and will take on a larger rule with the annual spring fund drive. Becker’s primary focus for the PAF will be the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual scholarship fund donors and prospects.

In July of 2013 Becker was hired as Coordinator for Athletics Development, Becker oversaw and coordinated athletics annual giving solicitations as well as the coordination of a variety of Athletic Department special events including PAF Pre-Game Hospitalities, the Orange & Black Ball, the Hall of Fame & Honors Dinner, and the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit Luncheon. 

Originally from Lancaster, PA, Becker completed his Bachelor of Sciences degree in Sport Management from Springfield College in May 2013, with a minor in Business Management and is currently working toward his Master’s Degree in Athletic Administration here at Pacific.

“Both Chris and Mike are very deserving of these promotions. Chris has done a fantastic job with the PAF as is seen by the record donation totals the last few years and he has also developed our PAF Impact Fund which has been hugely beneficial to our department and the student-athletes. Mike Becker will now take on a larger role within the PAF to help continue this success through additional responsibilities during our spring fund drive and more contact with our donors”, said Dickson.

In addition to the changes for Lynn and Becker the Tigers added Bri Rodriguez to fill the role vacated by Becker. Rodriguez previously worked in the Athletic Department at UC Davis as the Development Assistant under Senior Associate Athletic Director, Sharon Takeda. She assisted with the annual fund (TeamAGGIE) membership processing and benefit fulfillment, TeamAGGIE and individual sport solicitations as well as all donor stewardship, fundraising events. Additionally, she was tasked with gift processing of all donations, pledges and endowments to athletics. Prior to UC Davis, Rodriguez worked as the Graduate Assistant for the Women’s Soccer team at West Virginia University. She assisted with all facets of the program including game day promotions, scouting reports, fundraising events, community outreach events and camps.

Originally from Aurora, Illinois, Rodriguez completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from West Virginia University in May 2013, with a minor in Communications. She is currently working towards Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from WVU. While at WVU, Rodriguez was a captain and four-year starting midfielder for the women’s soccer team that won three Big East Conference championships, one Big 12 conference championship and made a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010. She was named a 2012 NSCAA College Scholar All-American, 2012 All Big 12 First Team, and 2010 All Big East First team

 Dickson will continue to lead the Athletic Development team with Julie Wendland remaining in her current role as the PAF Account Manager and Pam Nogare as Administrative Assistant.

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