UNK Announces Changes in Athletic Department Staff

UNK Announces Changes in Athletic Department Staff
July 26th, 2021 | Peter Yazvac-

Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Director Marc Bauer announced today that four members of the Loper Administrative staff have been promoted.

Each of these new job titles or positions occurred this summer.

Rachael Page is now Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services/Senior Woman Administrator. She previously was an Assistant A.D. who has been with UNK Athletics in full-time capacity since 2015. Next, Jake Greco is an Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Event Management. He joined the Lopers in the summer of 2018 and served as Director of Ticket Operations for nearly two years when he moved into the role Director of Facilities and Event Management.

Natalie Hagan, the Lopers former Director of Marketing and Promotions, is now the department’s Business Management Analyst. She replaces Aaron Wright who retired on June 1. Hagan came aboard in six years ago and was an Office Associate before moving into Marketing and Promotions. Finally, Alex Jenn takes on Hagan’s previous duties while also keeping her Ticket Operation responsibilities. Now the Director of Marketing, Promotions and Tickets, Jenn joined the Lopers in a full-time role last summer after being a department intern for two years.

A former Aqualoper who holds two degrees from UNK, Page currently serves on several campus committees: Title IX, University System Wide Title XI, Equity, Access and Diversity (EAD), Budgetary Advisory, Professional Development, the CARE team, Alcohol Task Force, and Sexual Assault and Community Task Force. ​

“Rachael has demonstrated exemplary work and stability in one of the most vital roles in the athletic department. She is a valued member of our senior staff and has been instrumental in the impact of this department,” Bauer said. “Rachael serves on several UNK committees and has oversight of NCAA compliance and student-athlete academic support.”

Leading UNK’s SAAC group on an annual basis and now greatly involved with Name, Image and Likeness (NLI), the Missouri native is a member of the MIAA IRC, the MIAA Championships and Awards committee and the MIAA SWA’s.

“Rachael’s leadership has earned the esteem of our coaches, student-athletes, athletics staff, and colleagues across campus and within the MIAA conference. I am confident that she is a rising star in this business, and we cannot wait to see where her leadership takes us in the future.”

In his current role Greco is involved with facility scheduling, game day/event setup and operations, coordinating The MIAA Network at all Loper home games and working with UNK teams on daily practice needs. In his previous Ticket Operations role, the Iowa native worked with the Loper on-line ticketing partner to handle game day and season ticket options.

​”Jake is a key member of our staff, overseeing facilities and directing athletic events. More recently, he has helped with the planning of facility projects. The daily impact Jake has on our Athletic Department and student-athletes experience is immeasurable,” Bauer said. “He has had a tremendous impact on our department in a short time. Plus, his relentless work and initiative to produce a quality event and maintain facilities are exceptional. We are excited to promote Jake and have him serve on our leadership team.”

During his time as a student-athlete (baseball) at Upper Iowa Univeristy, Greco worked in the Athletic Department, helping out with ticket sales and the marketing and promotion of games.

Hagan joined the Lopers in 2015 and served as Office Associate for four years. Shen then moved into the Manager of Marketing and Promotions role where her duties included handling P.A. scripts for all Loper home games, working with Athletic corporate partners, organize department outreach events, and being involved with the Loper Backers fundraiser in April. ​

“Natalie has quickly worked her way around the department, first as our office associate, to our Marketing and Promotions Manager, to our Business Analyst. Natalie’s educational background, experiences within the department, and experience as a former business owner have equipped her to guide internal operations of the Athletic Department,” Baier said.

The Bertrand native holds two degrees from Nebraska-Lincoln and worked with Husker women’s basketball for five seasons. She has owned and operated several businesses in the Kearney area as well.

“We have had the opportunity to observe Natalie’s ability to perform and manage two demanding jobs in our department. Her innovative ideas, initiative, and attention to detail will serve senior staff and the Athletic Department productively. We are confident in Natalie’s ability to manage and direct this extremely important area moving forward.”

Jenn is a UNK graduate who was President of the Sports Administration majors club and a member of the Sapphires dance team. The Holdrege native interned with Peak Sports Management in the summer of 2019 while being a Loper intern for two years. During that time Jenn was heavily involved with Athletic social media and graphic design and various game day activities.

“Alex has transitioned nicely into managing our ticketing system, which we are now merging with marketing and promotions. Prior to joining our team, Alex completed an internship with Peak Sports, helping with corporate sponsorships at West Texas A & M,” Bauer said.

Taking over Ticket Operation duties in the spring of 2020, she works with UNK’s on-line ticketing partner, Hometown Tickets, to handle season and game day sales. Jenn helped create an efficient transition to all mobile ticketing for UNK athletic events during 2020.

“As we move towards a ticket less online system, Alex brings a solid foundation of experience and ideas to help improve and advance game day marketing and promotions. We are excited to promote Alex, and we look forward to the positive impact that she will continue to have on the Athletic Department.”

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