Central Michigan University Athletics
Mays Joins Chippewa Athletic Fund
9/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Chippewa Fund
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Kevin Mays has been appointed the Director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund and will oversee and be responsible for the organization’s annual fundraising efforts.
As a former All-American and member of a championship football team at Central Michigan, Mays is well aware of the value of athletics on the collegiate level.
“My goal is to increase our donor base and create the best possible experiences for them,” said Mays, who assumed his position on Monday. “We’re going to continue to create and cultivate lasting, meaningful relationships with our donors.”
As a CMU student-athlete, Mays was a two-time All-American in track and field and was a member of the 2007 Mid-American Conference championship football team.
“As a two-sport athlete, a CMU graduate and alum, it gives me no greater pleasure than to serve the athletes who are now in the shoes I once was,” Mays said. “And, in return, serve and provide our donor base with the gift of knowing how instrumental they are to our athletes and our university.
“Continuing the Championship Culture at CMU was and continues to be my top priority and it’s an honor to be in this role.”
Senior Associate Athletic Director/External Operations Craig Willey said Mays’ exemplary track record made him stand out among an extremely strong field of candidates.
“He’s had a tremendous amount of success,” Willey said. “We think Kevin’s the guy to help take us to the next level and move things forward at a rapid pace. He possesses outstanding leadership traits, he’s a great communicator, he will connect with the CMU family, and he will be an ambassador for the university.”
Mays’ resume includes experience as the senior consultant of new business and development with the University of Kansas athletic department. His professional background consists of, among other things, brand strategy and marketing, budgeting, property management, revenue generation and enhancement, and negotiation.
“He has built a career in sales with a proven track record of generating revenue within the sports industry,” Willey said. “He’s a former student-athlete and that, I believe, gives him a unique perspective and understanding of the Chippewa student-athlete experience. I really feel that he is very capable of communicating and sharing the need for investing in that experience to our constituents.
“I don’t know that there’s anybody who can talk about the Chippewa Athletic Fund and the impact of an investment in CMU athletics like somebody who has lived it and has benefited tremendously from it like he has. He is a tremendous example of what collegiate athletics is all about, and the role they play in the educational experience.”
