Tuite Restructures Senior Staff, Announces Promotions for Thienes, Alexander

SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose State Athletics Director Marie Tuite has announced two internal promotions and a pair of title changes for her current senior staff. 

"These staff changes position the department for the future as we anxiously await the return of our student-athletes, coaches and staff," Tuite said. "Each of these individuals care deeply about the student-athlete experience and their core values align with the direction of this department." 

Laura Alexander has been promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Student Wellness and Leadership Development. Alexander began her SJSU career in 2011 as a graduate assistant athletic trainer. She worked her way up to head athletic trainer for football in 2017 and will now oversee student-athlete services such as sports medicine, athletic performance and the Beyond Sparta program plus areas such as nutrition and sport psychology.

Ben Thienes is now the Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations. He started at SJSU in 2017 as the director of operations for head coach Brent Brennan and the football program. In his expanded role, Thienes will take on more of the day-to-day planning of the Spartan Athletics Center construction project. 

Tuite has also made title changes for veteran staff members Eileen Daley and Blake Sasaki. 

Daley's title is now Deputy Director of Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator. In her 16th year with the Spartans, she will assist Tuite in managing the day-to-day operations of the athletics department. Daley also serves as the SJSU Deputy Title IX Coordinator and as the Mountain West's representative for the NCAA Div. I Committee on Academics. 

Sasaki's title was changed to Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Relations and Strategic Revenue Generation. In his eighth year at SJSU, Sasaki heads up the athletics department's marketing, media relations and ticketing groups while also overseeing SJSU's relationships with the Aspire Group, Spartan Sports Properties and Pivot Marketing. Sasaki was instrumental in the naming rights negotiations for CEFCU Stadium.