Spent Previous Five Years at Dartmouth; Earlier Stops at Buffalo, NBA
Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Nicki W. Moore filled out her executive team Tuesday with the announcement that Laura Sgrecci is taking over as Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Strategic Advancement.
Sgrecci arrives after five years at Dartmouth, where she oversaw marketing as first the Assistant and then Associate Athletic Director for Marketing. She was responsible for increasing attendance and fan engagement for Dartmouth ticketed sports.
Sgrecci’s role at Colgate is to provide strategic and effective leadership of the external operations; fundraising and stewardship; and revenue generation for the department. It’s a highly visible leadership role, and Moore believes Sgrecci has the interpersonal skills and experience to make a difference with the Raiders.
“I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about welcoming Laura Sgrecci to our Colgate Athletics executive leadership team,” Moore said. “Laura’s experience in professional sports, her experience in and passion for intercollegiate athletics and the Division I student-athlete experience, her progressive success at strong universities, and the character she has demonstrated throughout her career, suggest she is going to be an incredible member of our Colgate team. It is clear that Laura is an innovator, a collaborator, a leader, a team player and a very hard worker.
“We have a big job here for Laura, with big plans on the horizon. Colgate Athletics has something really special about it. We want every member of the Colgate, Hamilton and surrounding communities to find their place to belong here, and to become a part of the Raider Athletics success story. In the coming months, Laura will get to build out her staff to chase this vision, and based upon who she is, and who we are, we’re going to become an even better team.”
Dartmouth Initiatives Paid Dividends
Sgrecci’s recent efforts for the Big Green included the creation of women’s basketball and men’s basketball “School Day” field trip games, which last year attracted 25 schools and more than 2,600 local students; “Dartmouth Football 101,” a free, family-focused event for the community that helped create excitement for the upcoming football season; and a Stanley Cup Celebration recognizing the accomplishment of Dartmouth men’s hockey alum Ben Lovejoy ’06 that drew more than 2,000 fans.
Sgrecci also was involved in planning for this fall’s Dartmouth-Princeton football game at Yankee Stadium as part of Dartmouth’s 250th anniversary celebration. That effort included mobilizing and garnering support from a campus-wide committee; working with a video production company on a series of marketing spots/vignettes using compelling storytelling and a strong call to action; and leveraging campus partnerships to help build attendance for the game.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Colgate Athletics family, especially at such an exciting time in Colgate’s history as the university celebrates its bicentennial and moves into its third century,” Sgrecci said. “I want to thank Dr. Nicki Moore and the entire search committee for this opportunity. I am looking forward to arriving in Hamilton and getting to work!”
Sgrecci also recruited “espnW Campus Conversations” to Dartmouth this spring for an inspirational and impactful event attended by a record 300-plus female student-athletes. That was the highest total among 30 college and university campuses visited since the event’s inception in 2016.
“Laura did a great job creating comprehensive marketing campaigns and developing promotions that brought the Dartmouth community together,” said Sam Hopkins, Dartmouth’s Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations. “We wish her all the best as she brings her energy and spirit to Colgate.”
Head Dartmouth Women’s Basketball Coach Belle Koclanes said about Sgrecci, “Over the past five years, Laura has been instrumental in creating events that truly engage and inspire our entire Dartmouth community. Laura executes her vision with enthusiasm and professionalism. My staff and I certainly will miss her genuine support of our program’s progress. We wish Laura the best of luck in her new role for Colgate Athletics.”
Before joining the staff at Dartmouth, Sgrecci spent a little over three years at Buffalo as Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions. She oversaw the development and implementation of UB’s marketing plans to increase ticket sales for football, basketball and volleyball. She also directed and coordinated the design of all creative elements to promote the UB athletics brand.
Career Began in NBA
During the 2000s, Sgrecci worked with the NBA’s Marketing and Team Business Operations unit and both of the WNBA and NBA franchises in Seattle. She spent two years as Senior Manager of Marketing and Promotions for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, immediately after a two-year combined stint in marketing and promotions for the Storm and SuperSonics.
Sgrecci’s tenure with the NBA ran from May 2002 to the end of 2005 and saw her track and analyze team sponsorship revenue and promotions for 30 NBA teams and 13 WNBA teams.
A native of nearby Ithaca, Sgrecci earned her degree from Smith College in 2000 after competing in varsity volleyball, squash and tennis. She graduated in 2011 from the NCAA/NACWAA Institute for Administrative Advancement.