FARMINGTON, Utah – LEARFIELD, exclusive sponsorship sales partner for the Big Sky Conference, announced that Jeff Menard has been named General Manager for its local Big Sky Sports Properties team.
Menard, an industry veteran, brings a wide range of experience to the conference from within academia, media and entertainment. He recently moved to Utah from California, where he spent most of his career. Most recently he owned Menard Solutions Corp helping companies with business development, and previously worked with Cumulus Media KNBR in San Francisco. Menard’s previous intercollegiate athletics experience includes five years serving on the multimedia rights team representing the Cal Bears. He is also the former Assistant Athletic Director, Corporate Sponsorship and Marketing for the University of San Francisco.
As LEARFIELD’s primary liaison to the Big Sky Conference, Menard will work alongside Commissioner Tom Wistrcill and the entire conference team on all aspects of the relationship. Big Sky Conference proactively sells all conference assets to businesses and corporations seeking to align with its 10 full member institutions and four affiliates.
“We are thrilled to welcome someone with Jeff’s experience to our Big Sky team,” Wistrcill said. “His time working and selling athletic departments and being part of a team, along with his proven sales record, will elevate the experience for our sponsors and schools.”
Menard received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned his master’s degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy.
“Jeff is a proven professional who has extensive sponsorship sales expertise at the intersection of college sports, media and entertainment; a perfect fit for Big Sky Sports Properties,” said Rachel Palumbo, a LEARFIELD vice president, multi-media rights. “We are thrilled to have Jeff on board as we continue to pair sponsor brands with the Big Sky brand.”
LEARFIELD is a media, data and technology services leader in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services include licensing and collegiate sports properties multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analysis and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising events; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and place technology systems. Since 2008, it has served as the title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments in all divisions.
