Eric Sorenson
Greg Byrne always seems to be one step ahead.
The University of Arizona Athletic Director has no off-season. Whether hosting a social media seminar in Phoenix, traveling around the state with the Arizona Road Tour, unveiling the Wildcats new football uniforms or overseeing the renovation of Arizona Stadium there’s always something to do.
He’s doing it all while keeping UofA fans in the loop on twitter and through other social media outlets. He created a nationwide buzz announcing the hiring of Rich Rodriguez on twitter and recently held a video conference on Google Chat with members of the BYU athletic department in coordination with future football games against the Cougars.
“It’s a great way to interact with your fans,” Byrne told Brad Cesmat in a recent interview on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “That’s critically important to the University of Arizona as it is for any of our schools in the Pac-12 or nationally. It’s a great way to sell tickets and promote the Wildcat Club.”
Another way to sell tickets is improving and upgrading your facilities. Byrne has tackled the task head on since coming to Tucson in May of 2010. The latest project is a $74 million facelift to the dated football stadium and surrounding complex.
“We’re getting pretty close,” Byrne explained to Cesmat. “It’s really nice. It’s absolutely going to change the face of our facility, outlook and structure going forward for our program. It’s really going to show the commitment we have to having a strong football program. Really good things are ahead.”
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for August 17. The athletic department will start moving into their new office space in July. Byrne says the next task will be looking to into steps to improve The McKale Center, housing one of the premiere college basketball programs in the nation.
UofA fans are hoping Byrne’s forward-thinking vision will lead to even bigger and better things in Tucson.
In just three short years he definitely has things moving in the right direction.
