Former Assistant Director of Media Relations at UNF, Adam Jonson, is now the assistant marketing director for tickets operations at his alma mater, Northwestern State University in Louisiana.
One of six that left UNF Athletics, some of which let go byAthletic Director Lee Moon, Jonson was the first to find a replacement job.
“Adam has made a great impression on NSU’s athletic department and worked hard as an undergraduate at NSU,” Athletic Director at NSU Greg Burke said. “He is very well liked and appreciated here for his work ethic and his willingness to learn.”
Previously working at the sports information office, graduating under summa cum laude, pursuing a master’s degree in sports administration at NSU and living only 30 minutes away from NSU, Jonson will be in charge of ticketing operations and marketing.
Moon had made several generous offers to keep Jonson aboard the UNF Media Relation’s team, but Jonson chose to go back to his hometown roots and try something diverse, Jonson said.
One thing the NSU Demons have that UNF Athletics does not is a football team. The Demons men’s basketball program has gained national and worldwide attention and landed a three-quarter page spread in the sports section of The New York Times.
“NSU is different from UNF in the way things are run and the fact that it’s in a smaller town than Jacksonville,” Jonson said. “UNF is a great place and headed for great things, but I wanted to try something different, and I thought working at NSU might be right down my alley.”
Awarded a prestigious Ace Higgins Award by the Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association in 2007 as the state’s top student SID and a financial scholarship, Jonson is looking forward to starting at NSU and building on his accomplishments.
At UNF, Jonson was in charge of men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, baseball, and men’s and women’s tennis. While working at the NSU sports information office, he was the primary contact for women’s soccer, softball and both tennis teams.
Working at another setting, UNF is seen as a big positive aspect and a good learning tool, Burke said. Jonson has had an opportunity to learn at a great school and will bring many skills to NSU.
The assistant marketing director for tickets operations at NSU was Zach Williams, who resigned last April.
“Williams was the best ticket operations guy we have had here. Adam has got big shoes to fill, but I know he is capable,” Burke said.
Jonson has been exposed to numerous types of sports-related opportunities and is experienced with handling the media, Burke said.
With a newspaper background, Burke has stressed to the NSU athletic department the importance of being media friendly, and Jonson has taken a lot from his experiences at NSU and has proven his skills with the media here, Burke said. Adam has kept in touch with people at NSU and has the skills to better himself and to continue his learning in the sports department, he said.
