San Jose-In an effort to strengthen the leadership of the San Jose State University Athletics Department, Tod Bannister has accepted the position of Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations.  Interim athletics director Marie Tuite made the announcement.

Bannister will work on the capital campaign for the Spartan Stadium North Endzone Project and will oversee the ticket operations and marketing and promotions departments.  He spent the past nine months working in University Advancement at San Jose State as the Director of Development for Athletics.

"As we move into the Mountain West Conference, the necessity to raise additional funds becomes paramount to our success," said Marie Tuite, Interim Athletics Director at San Jose State. "Tod's experience and expertise will assist John (Poch) and his team as we engage in increased efforts to augment our revenue streams.  His leadership in the areas of marketing, promotions and ticketing will enhance our current strategies as we prepare for our final year in the Western Athletic Conference and the move to the Mountain West."

Before coming to San Jose State, Bannister worked at UCLA as the Director of the Wooden Athletic Fund.  He managed and prepared the annual operating strategy for the Fund and worked with the athletics department and the university on strategic plans.  Bannister oversaw individual sport fundraising and created a master solicitation and giving calendar for the department.

Prior to UCLA, Bannister worked at the University of California, Berkeley as the Executive Director of the Bear Backers for three years.  He continually set records for annual dollars raised and worked with the California Alumni Association to generate over 510 new Bear Backer members within a two-month frame.  Bannister also assisted in organizing and planning the Cal Coaches Tour to generate hundreds of new Bear Backers each year.

"The athletics department and San Jose State at large are extremely fortunate to be able to welcome Tod to our team," said John Poch, Deputy Director of Athletics at San Jose State.  "Through his expertise, relationships and top-notch experience, Tod strengthens our ability to fund and support all of our teams and programs at levels commensurate with the upper echelon of our conference and the NCAA. He is greatly respected through his professional accomplishments in the field of coaching, facility planning and development from his experiences at Pacific, California and UCLA. Tod will be a tremendous asset to the department."

Bannister went to Cal after spending a year as the Assistant Athletics Director of External Affairs at the University of the Pacific.  He was the executive director of the Pacific Tigers Athletics Association, the chief fund raising arm of Pacific athletics, where he was responsible for directing the annual fund drive, maintaining relationships with PTAA members and coordinating special events.  Bannister also oversaw the marketing and ticketing operations and supervised four sports.

Prior to entering the fundraising field, Bannister spent six years as an assistant basketball coach at Pacific with the men's and women's programs including four years under current Pacific men's head coach Bob Thomason.  Bannister served as a color analyst for Pacific Tiger men's basketball broadcasts and one year as the co-host of the Cal Bear Basketball post game show.

Bannister earned his bachelor's degree from Sacramento State.