SAN JOSE, Calif. - San José State Director of Athletics Jeff Konya announced the hiring of Jamaal Mayo as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Advancement, and the promotion of Cottrell Hill and Sky Kerstein on Thursday. Mayo will serve on the executive leadership team and will lead the fundraising arm of SJSU Athletics, while Hill advances to Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities and Events, and Kerstein was elevated to Assistant Athletics Director for Communications and Broadcasting.
"We are very excited about the addition of Jamaal (Mayo) to our development and executive leadership team," said Konya. "His previous experiences in leading major fundraising campaigns at both the university and intercollegiate levels, as well as serving as an Athletics Director for two years at Harris-Stowe State University, will provide our team with strong leadership skills and boost our fundraising opportunities. SJSU Athletics will continue to be cutting edge in all of its endeavors, and Jamaal is a proven fundraiser and leader within the athletics industry."
Jamaal Mayo, Senior Associate AD for Development
- Mayo has 15 years of wide-ranging experience in multiple parts of intercollegiate athletics with a focus on student-athlete development
- He spent the last six years working at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) as a Senior Associate AD for External Relations and most recently served as the Director of Development for the University team
- AT NCCU, he was responsible for the executive leadership and strategic direction of the athletics department development, corporate sponsorship, tickets, marketing, fan engagement and revenue generation
- Mayo served on the NCCU executive leadership team and was a sport administrator for women's basketball
- He was invited to serve on the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) Diversity Working Group which is comprised of 12 of the nation's leaders in intercollegiate athletics fundraising and was created to serve as an advisory group to the NAADD Executive Committee
- Previously, Mayo led the athletics department at Harris-Stowe State University (NAIA) and witnessed 175 percent increase in revenue generation over his two years (2014-16)
- Mayo began his intercollegiate career at his alma mater, Western Carolina University, gaining experience in several different units before earning an Assistant AD role for Development
Cottrell Hill, Assistant AD for Facilities and Events
- Hill joined the athletics staff in July 2016 as the facility coordinator
- He was elevated to Director of Facilities in 2021 and most recently named Assistant AD for Facilities
- Hill serves as the facility lead contact for football, men's basketball, women's soccer, softball and cross country, track and field
- As an undergraduate at SJSU, Hill worked for the operations staff at the Provident Credit Union Event Center and with the athletics facilities team
- He earned his degree in Kinesiology from San José State in 2015 and a master's degree in Kinesiology sport studies at SJSU in 2022
Sky Kerstein, Assistant AD for Communications and Broadcasting
- Kerstein joined the athletics staff in November 2021 as the Director of Multimedia
- He was elevated to Assistant AD for Communications and Broadcasting to lead those areas for the Spartans
- Kerstein has over a decade of professional media experience as a producer, TV anchor and radio host/analyst for professional and collegiate sports in Washington, D.C. and Detroit
- He earned a master's degree in sport leadership at Northeastern University in 2022, and spent two years helping lead the communications and broadcasting team for the Huskies
- Serves as the lead communications contact for football for the Spartans, and helped SJSU and NU garner record-setting media attention over the last few years
"Sky and Cottrell have done an excellent job for our department and are certainly deserving of these promotions," said Konya. "They will serve on our leadership team and help build our culture here in athletics as we provide a cutting-edge experience for our student-athletes in the classroom, in competition and in the community."
What they are saying about Jamaal Mayo ...
Tim Duncan, Vice President Athletics and Recreation at New Orleans
"Jamaal Mayo is a tremendous leader and talented fundraiser. I've known him for over a decade and have admired his growth in our industry. I'm excited that he will be working with my friend and mentor Jeff Konya and look forward to the momentum that dynamic duo will create at San José State University."
Dr. Felicia Nave, President at Alcorn State University
"Jamaal Mayo is an exceptional talent. He is well-rounded and understands what is required to put together a preeminent program. I had the pleasure of working with Jamaal when I served as Provost at NCCU. He is a team player, who is student centered, an effective communicator, loyal and committed to institutional and programmatic success. What I appreciate the most about Jamaal is his strong work ethic and his willingness to think outside of the proverbial box. Jamaal is a true treasure that any organization would be fortunate to have as part of their team."
Dr. Roderick Perry, Director of Athletics at IUPUI
"I have known Jamaal for over 10 years, and I know he possesses impeccable character and the passion, energy, and leadership skills necessary to be a successful in intercollegiate athletics. His strong work ethic and his ability to establish and strengthen relationships with external constituents reflects the values that are important in higher education. He will work tirelessly to enhance the student-athlete experience while fostering a culture of academic success."
Dr. Dwaun Warmack, President at Claflin University
"Having known Jamaal since his undergraduate years, I've seen him grow into not only a quality athletic administrator but an outstanding person who will thrive in higher education. He has a proven track record of success, a great knowledge base of the industry to go along with an outstanding work ethic."
Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, former Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University
"I had the pleasure of working with Jamaal and was impressed by his strategic-minded work ethic. He knows how to work efficiently and empower others to work together as a team to accomplish short and long-term goals. Jamaal has a diversity of experiences in college sports which makes him a valuable asset to any leadership team in intercollegiate athletics."
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