Bobcats welcome alum back to Athens
Courtesy of the Official Site of OHIO Athletics

Ohio Athletics Director Jim Schaus announced Wednesday that Jim Harris ('04) has been named Associate Athletics Director for Development.
 
“I am excited for the opportunity to become a part of the Bobcat family once again,” said Harris. “As an alum of Ohio University, I have a connection with the many great people who contribute to the athletic and academic success of the institution. I am anxious to get started.”
 
Harris, a 2004 Ohio University MBA and MSA honoree, returns to Athens after serving as Associate Director of Development/Director of Annual Giving at Indiana University for just over four years. At IU, Harris increased annual giving 37.4% in his first three years, which represented a $2.1 million increase. That figure represented the largest three-year growth in the history of the IU’s Varsity Club. He was also responsible for implementing IU’s first-ever premium seating for men’s basketball.
 
From July 2004 to June 2005, Harris was Indiana’s Assistant Director of Development/Director of Young Alumni Development where he served as the athletic liaison to IU’s Alumni Association and state volunteer network. He was also responsible for the development and implementation if IU’s young alumni comp donor program.
 
He served as a Graduate Assistant in Ohio’s Athletic Development office from August 2003 to June 2004 where, among other duties, he maintained the annual giving donor database and acknowledgement system.
 
Harris worked as a Marketing/Administrative Intern for the Big South Conference in the summer of 2003 where he served as the main contact and liaison for several corporate sponsors. While there, he helped the league achieve the largest sponsorship revenue year in Conference history at that point, a total that exceeded $600,000.
 
“I am ecstatic about Jim Harris guiding our fundraising efforts,” said Schaus. “He has the experience, energy and personality to be highly successful. Our donors will absolutely love him because he is truly a people person. As an Ohio University alumnus, serving at his alma mater also means a great deal to him. Exciting things are ahead for us under his leadership.”
 
Harris received his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Indiana University in May 2002.