Rochester Native Tabbed Associate Director of Athletic Communications After Seven Years at UNC Wilmington
By John Painter
(Hamilton, NY – Aug. 20, 2014) Jarrett Abelson is the newest member of the Colgate Athletic Communications team.
He was named Associate Director of Athletic Communications, and is the initial contact for Colgate men’s ice hockey, field hockey, volleyball, swimming and diving, tennis and women’s lacrosse. The 33-year-old Rochester native returns to New York after eight years at UNC Wilmington, two years at NAIA-member Northwood in Florida and one year at Ohio.
“Jarrett brings a talented skill set with him to Colgate,” said John Painter, Colgate’s Director of Athletic Communications. “There were many outstanding candidates for this position, and Jarrett stood out from the beginning. He is an excellent addition from Day 1.”
Abelson spent the previous seven years at UNCW as assistant director of athletic communications. He was the media relations contact for women’s basketball, women’s soccer, softball, volleyball and women’s golf. Abelson oversaw the video streaming service that produced more than 90 live broadcasts annually, and also created and designed graphics for use on UNCW website and other university-distributed materials.
He served as sports information director at Northwood from 2005 to 2007, acting as the sole public relations representative for the school’s athletics department. During that tenure, Abelson worked closely with local, regional and national media to promote the return of college basketball legend Rollie Massimino to the coaching sideline.
Before that, Abelson spent an initial season at UNCW as a sports information assistant and one year at Ohio as athletic communications assistant.
“I want to thank Director of Athletics Victoria M. Chun and Director of Athletic Communications John Painter for the opportunity to serve as the Associate Director of Athletic Communications at Colgate,” Abelson said. “As a native of Upstate New York, I am we aware of the history and tradition of this prestigious university, and I am excited for the chance to become part of the Raider family.”
Abelson graduated from Dayton University in May 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.