Completed Event: Track & Field at Penn State National Open on January 30, 2026 , , Completed
T-F
Final
James Madison
at Penn State National Open
Completed
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
JMU Athletics Modernizes Administrative Structure
1/28/2026 11:15:00 AM | Administration
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Director of Athletics Matt Roan unveiled adjustments to the JMU Athletics administrative staff and organizational structure with a focus on modernization and department priorities.
With these updates, the department aims to seize upon institutional momentum and advance the traditional college athletics administrative framework into one that is complemented by greater emphasis on revenue generation and business strategy while maintaining a commitment to the holistic student-athlete experience and comprehensive excellence for all stakeholder groups.
"Over many years and great effort, James Madison has positioned itself as a a select entity in college athletics, both in our achievements, such as the recent 2025 College Football Playoff appearance, and in how we approach what we do," Roan said. "These updates are not the typical reorganization or fixing something that is broken. This is about an evolving structure and best aligning our talented administrative team to most effectively meet our goals to maintain and improve our status. We have the right people, and now we are empowering them to lead key areas of our department to thrive.
"Key priorities shape this model and how we approach our work each day and our interactions with our student-athletes, supporters, and any stakeholder. First, we engage positively and proactively with each of these key groups. We strive to then enhance and maximize their experience. We stress participation, encouraging our supporters to be present and to invest in our success. Finally, we emphasize excellence in everything we do. Obviously, that means competitive achievement, but it also spills over to academic success, community involvement, and everything else we do behind the scenes."
The new structure features five pod areas, each with a specific emphasis and objective. The creation of these pods and the Administrative Team's place within them strives to be explicit with the department's priorities, remove organizational layers, and foster greater collaboration to support within and across emphasis areas.
Overall, Deputy Director of Athletics Geoff Polglase maintains his title, but shifts into a chief athletics operations officer role becoming more involved in the daily supervision of the department. General Manager Cliff Wood returned to the department in 2025 in a new role with oversight of revenue sharing strategy and negotiation, as well as involvement with comprehensive business strategy. Dr. Roger Soenksen continues to serve as Faculty Athletics Representative.
Effective in January, 2026, the following five pods and Admin Team placements have been implemented:
Engagement and Experience – Elevates the experience of all who interact with JMU Athletics, whether via various communications and media channels, or in person at games and special events, overall enhancing the brand and identity of JMU Athletics.
Participation and Investment – Maximizes constituent involvement, investment and revenue generation in the areas of ticket sales, development, and corporate partnerships, among others.
Business Operations – Strategically manages and maximizes process efficiency, revenue generation, expenditures, business analytics, and human resources.
Competitive Excellence – Allows our student-athletes to thrive by coordinating all aspects of their internal experience in the areas of academic excellence, leadership development, compliance, NCAA governance, integrated health and sports performance, and the Honors1 Name, Image and Likeness program.
Sport Assistance and Support – Provides direct administrative support to coaches and sport programs to promote excellence.
Related to the Sport Assistance and Support pod, JMU's team of direct sport administrators will feature its most expanded structure in department history, allowing more sport programs to receive dedicated administrative support, as well as more facilitation and supervisory opportunities for the Admin Team.
Current Sport Administrator Assignments:
With these updates, the department aims to seize upon institutional momentum and advance the traditional college athletics administrative framework into one that is complemented by greater emphasis on revenue generation and business strategy while maintaining a commitment to the holistic student-athlete experience and comprehensive excellence for all stakeholder groups.
"Over many years and great effort, James Madison has positioned itself as a a select entity in college athletics, both in our achievements, such as the recent 2025 College Football Playoff appearance, and in how we approach what we do," Roan said. "These updates are not the typical reorganization or fixing something that is broken. This is about an evolving structure and best aligning our talented administrative team to most effectively meet our goals to maintain and improve our status. We have the right people, and now we are empowering them to lead key areas of our department to thrive.
"Key priorities shape this model and how we approach our work each day and our interactions with our student-athletes, supporters, and any stakeholder. First, we engage positively and proactively with each of these key groups. We strive to then enhance and maximize their experience. We stress participation, encouraging our supporters to be present and to invest in our success. Finally, we emphasize excellence in everything we do. Obviously, that means competitive achievement, but it also spills over to academic success, community involvement, and everything else we do behind the scenes."
The new structure features five pod areas, each with a specific emphasis and objective. The creation of these pods and the Administrative Team's place within them strives to be explicit with the department's priorities, remove organizational layers, and foster greater collaboration to support within and across emphasis areas.
Overall, Deputy Director of Athletics Geoff Polglase maintains his title, but shifts into a chief athletics operations officer role becoming more involved in the daily supervision of the department. General Manager Cliff Wood returned to the department in 2025 in a new role with oversight of revenue sharing strategy and negotiation, as well as involvement with comprehensive business strategy. Dr. Roger Soenksen continues to serve as Faculty Athletics Representative.
Effective in January, 2026, the following five pods and Admin Team placements have been implemented:
Engagement and Experience – Elevates the experience of all who interact with JMU Athletics, whether via various communications and media channels, or in person at games and special events, overall enhancing the brand and identity of JMU Athletics.
- Ty Phillips – Associate AD for Facilities & Events (new title)
- Melissa Wyant – Associate AD for Fan Engagement and Experience (new title)
- Kevin Warner – Associate AD for Branding and Strategic Initiatives (new title)
Participation and Investment – Maximizes constituent involvement, investment and revenue generation in the areas of ticket sales, development, and corporate partnerships, among others.
- Scooter Renkin – Senior Associate AD for Development and Strategic Revenue (new title)
- James Troutman – Associate AD For Ticket Operations (new employee)
- Mike Chatburn – General Manager, JMU Sports Properties (LEARFIELD)
Business Operations – Strategically manages and maximizes process efficiency, revenue generation, expenditures, business analytics, and human resources.
- Marissa Manko – Senior Associate AD for Business and Finance, Chief Athletics Finances Officer (new title)
- Denise Lough – Assistant AD for Administration and Operations
- Erin Wilkinson – Assistant AD for Data and Analytics (new title)
Competitive Excellence – Allows our student-athletes to thrive by coordinating all aspects of their internal experience in the areas of academic excellence, leadership development, compliance, NCAA governance, integrated health and sports performance, and the Honors1 Name, Image and Likeness program.
- Jenn Phillips – Executive Associate AD for Competitive Excellence (new title)
- Stephen LaPorta – Associate AD For Governance and Talent Management (new title)
- Cassidy Clements – Assistant AD for Student-Athlete Development
- Jake van Roekel – Assistant AD for Academic Success
- Brandon DeSantis – Associate AD for Integrated Health and Sports Performance
Sport Assistance and Support – Provides direct administrative support to coaches and sport programs to promote excellence.
- Kevin White – Senior Associate AD for Sports Programs (new title)
Related to the Sport Assistance and Support pod, JMU's team of direct sport administrators will feature its most expanded structure in department history, allowing more sport programs to receive dedicated administrative support, as well as more facilitation and supervisory opportunities for the Admin Team.
Current Sport Administrator Assignments:
- Matt Roan – Football
- Geoff Polglase/Scooter Renkin – Men's Basketball
- Jenn Phillips – Women's Basketball
- Kevin White – Soccer, Cross Country/Track & Field, Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball
- Stephen LaPorta – Field Hockey
- Marissa Manko – Volleyball (new)
- Jake van Roekel – Swimming & Diving (new)
- Denise Lough – Tennis
- Kevin Warner – Golf
- Cassidy Clements – Spirit Programs (Cheer/Duke Dog)
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