A subdivision within Radford University’s Athletics Department is its External Operations area, which has the purpose of generating revenue thus providing the foundation or “life blood” for which the athletics department operates. The functions that serve the athletics department's external constituencies are, but are not limited to the following: Corporate Sales, Marketing & Promotions, Athletics Ticket Office, Broadcasting, and the university Licensing & Merchandising program. With recent restructuring and a more aggressive approach, the External Affairs staff has set the following goals for which to strive:
- Enhance athletics' image and brand
- Expand and grow athletics' fan base
- Further engage athletics' current fan base
- Expand and increase current revenue streams
- Create new revenue streams in an effort to advance Radford Athletics to a higher level of excellence
Corporate Sponsorships
The Radford University Athletics Department has a sponsorship program which enables corporations and businesses to support the Highlanders while receiving valuable advertising exposure at Radford Athletics events. This program, which involves all varsity athletic programs, events and facilities/venues, has become a critical revenue stream for the department. Sponsorship packages can include a combination of in-game promotions, event signage, print, radio and online advertising, premium tickets, authorized use of university logos, parking, and public address announcements during athletic events. Businesses utilize these individually tailored advertising opportunities to grow their brand and exposure with the intent to increase their revenue, and often to entertain clients/customers and reward their employees.
Marketing & Promotions
The overall philosophy of Radford University’s Athletics Marketing Department is to increase attendance, awareness and support for Radford’s 16 intercollegiate sports by creating an entertaining environment that maintains that traditional collegiate atmosphere, while generating revenue opportunities through a variety of opportunities including corporate sponsorships and ticket sales. The Radford University’s Athletics Marketing Department is committed to providing the best possible (game day) experience for all Radford University athletic events and activities, while ensuring a great atmosphere for both our student-athletes and fans.
The Radford University Athletics Marketing Department coordinates all in-game promotions and entertainment, ticket sales and advertising campaigns.
To ensure that those in-game elements are executed professionally and in a timely manner, at least one member of the marketing staff is present at every home athletic event. The staff consists of three full-time positions, and a talented group of student interns.
External Operations Staff
Internships The Radford University Athletic Department hosts internship positions each semester within the Marketing Department. Interns within the Marketing Department receive a comprehensive overview of all aspects of collegiate marketing including gameday operations, in-game promotions, event planning, ticket sales and other work as assigned. Internships are unpaid positions and are open to all undergraduate and graduate school students who need an internship to fulfill part of their curriculum. Internships can be completed both for school credit or as an unpaid position. Interns report to the Assistant Director of Marketing, but will work closely with all RU marketing staff.
| Start Dates | Application Due Dates |
| Fall - August 24, 2015 | Fall - July 20, 2015 |
| Spring - January 19, 2016 | Spring - November 20, 2015 |
| Summer - May 16, 2016 | Summer April 15, 2016 |
If interested in applying for one of the internship positions within the Marketing Department at Radford Athletics, please forward a resume, cover letter and completed internship application to krhoads2@radford.edu.
