Welcone Alan Verlander

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

WE MEET AT RIVER CITY BREWING COMPANY

Lunch begins at noon - Meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

Meet Alan Verlander

Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment

City of Jacksonville

In April of 2012, Alan Verlander was named Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment for the City of Jacksonville.  His role oversees all sporting operations and events in the City, including being the direct liaison with the Jacksonville Jaguars on all City related issues.  In addition, he oversees special events for the city and the film and TV office.  The last of his duties will be the oversight of all city sporting facilities including the management contract.

As Director of Athletics for Jacksonville University from 2005-2012, the fortunes of the athletics department changed drastically as the programs gained in stature and prominence in the community and recognition nationwide. 

In his tenure at JU, JU laid claim to 41 conference or state championship titles and made 29 appearances in NCAA Tournaments. Additionally, the football program won the Pioneer Football League title for the first-time ever in 2008 and again in 2010 finishing with a 10-1 record, finishing the year ranked in the top 25 for the first time in the school’s history. 

A highlight in his first and fifth year (2006 & 2010), JU hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, with Verlander serving as the Tournament Director both times. 

Through private fund raising, more than $12 million was spent during his tenure updating and constructing new facilities. 

Verlander also led the effort in returning JU basketball to the "Downtown" area, as the Dolphins now call the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena their home. Since moving the home games to the Arena in 2006, JU has seen its average attendance double since his first season and season ticket sales have tripled since that time as well. 

In addition to facility and program upgrades, Verlander worked hard to get all 21 teams successful in the classroom as well. Upon his hire, 10 teams were under the 925 NCAA APR (Academic Progress Rate) bar. In 2012, only one team will be below the 925 mark. 

In the spring of 2008, under Verlander’s guidance, JU announced the addition of two new varsity sports -- men’s and women’s Lacrosse. The men’s team is the first Division I team in the state with women’s team becoming the second. Both seasons were successful in 2010, with the women’s program winning the National Lacrosse Conference Championship with an undefeated record. In 2011, a nationally televised event was created and sold (Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic) on ESPN which featured Duke, Notre Dame, Georgetown and JU. The game was played at EverBank Field, home of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, as JU athletics worked with the city of Jacksonville to promote the event. 

Nationally, Verlander served on the NCAA Recruiting and Personnel Issues Cabinet, which sets and monitors all NCAA legislation for recruiting and personnel Issues. He also has served on the Executive Committee within the Atlantic Sun Conference and currently chairs the membership committee. 

Verlander, 40, is a Jacksonville native who worked at the University of North Florida and with the Gator Bowl Association before leaving the First Coast in 1997. He is a 1990 graduate of the Bolles School and his grandfather, Ash Verlander, served as Chairman of JU's Board of Trustees from 1982-85. 

Verlander spent five years as Associate Athletic Director for External Operations at Samford, where he oversaw the Samford Athletic Foundation, facility improvements, the corporate partnership program, ticket sales, athletic media relations, marketing & promotions, broadcast operations, licensing & merchandising and the Bulldogs' official athletic web site. 

During his tenure at Samford, the Bulldogs saw dramatic increases in individual and corporate giving, as well as record attendance and ticket sales in nearly every sport. Samford-branded merchandise also experienced record growth, while the Bulldogs' television, radio and Internet coverage was enhanced and expanded to include football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, women's soccer and volleyball. 

Prior to working at Samford, Verlander spent two years as national sales executive for Host Communications in Atlanta, where he was responsible for securing corporate partners for the Southeastern and Big 12 Conferences, in addition to all colleges and universities represented by Host. 

Verlander was the director of marketing and promotions for the Gator Bowl Association in Jacksonville from April of 1995 until July of 1997. He directed all sales of corporate sponsors, which totaled more than $1.8 million, while also managing game operations and serving as a liaison with NBC as well as the Atlantic Coast and Big East Conferences. 

Verlander graduated with his B.A. in speech communications from Samford in 1994, where he earned three varsity letters in baseball. He obtained a master's degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University in 2007. He and his wife, Bonnie, have four daughters: Abby (15), Kate (12), Maggie (10) and Mary (9).

Congratulations Stephen Wilson!

Stephen Wilson, Ken Wilson's son attended the Bayatta Regatta in Philadelphia.  He won a 3rd place medal in rowing and placed in archery.  Rowing and archery are two programs that are part of the Adaptive Sports and Recreation at Brooks.  Stephen also works at Brooks. 

  

Recap of the September 25th Meeting

Greeter:  Casey Martin

The Pledge of Allegiance & Prayer:  David Bissell

Craft Talk:  Ed Morales

Football Update:  Jeremy Miller

Blue Badge Recipient:  Leandra Dopazo
Fellowship & Attendance Initiative Update:  Dean Scott

Membership Initiative Update:  Ron Patrick

Introduction of Visitors & Guests:  Harlan Bost

Guest Speaker Introduction:  Doug Johnson
Speaker:  Jeannie Blaylock

Jeannie Blaylock spoke to the Rotary Club of South Jacksonville about "Buddy Check 12", a program to help women and men overcome breast cancer through early detection.