University of Minnesota Athletics
Jamar Thompson Joins Gopher Athletics
8/15/2024 4:30:00 PM | Athletics
Gopher Athletics announced it has hired Jamar Thompson as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development. Thompson brings over a decade of experience to the role and will serve as a leader in the department, focusing on advancing the department's fundraising priorities. He will play a critical role in building relationships with stakeholders and securing revenue.Thompson comes to Minnesota from Northern Iowa, where he served in growing roles since 2016. Most recently, Thompson was the Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs where he led the external team of fundraising, marketing, communications, ticketing and revenue generation. He was instrumental in managing the department's comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, sports-specific initiatives, endowed scholarships and capital projects.
Under Thompson's leadership, the department launched a $50 million capital campaign for a dome renovation along with campaigns focused on a new wrestling training facility, basketball & volleyball practice facility, football team meeting room and outdoor track replacement. As part of his efforts, Thompson secured principal gifts, executed marketing strategies, engaged key donors and volunteers along with developing the project scope.
Thompson's tenure at Northern Iowa is marked by several record-breaking achievements including record fundraising years for the Panther Scholarship Club in 2022 and 2023, record special event fundraising and highly successful day of giving campaigns.
Prior to his service at Northern Iowa, Thompson was the Affiliate Development Director for the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa from 2012-16. In this role, he was responsible for development activities for 24 affiliates throughout 20 counties in Iowa and managed a team of development staff. Thompson raised $12 million and set annual records for gifts received during his tenure.
Thompson, a native of Andover, Minn., earned his bachelor's degree in marketing from Northern Iowa in 2010 and also has his master's degree from Northern Iowa in communication studies. At Northern Iowa, Thompson was a member of the football team, serving as a team captain. As a student-athlete, he was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honoree, helping lead his team to three conference titles and three trips to the FCS playoffs.
Thompson will begin his duties with the Gophers on Aug. 19.
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