Indiana University Athletics
Cuervo Named Assistant AD for External Operations
7/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | General
July 6, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Frank Cuervo has been named Indiana University's Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations, IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan announced on July 5. Cuervo, who takes over his new post on July 27, will supervise, organize and manage the activities of the IU ticket, marketing and media relations offices, reporting to Associate Athletic Director Tim Fitzpatrick.
Cuervo has served as The University of Missouri's Assistant Director of Athletics-External Operations since June 2005 after he held the Director of Marketing and Promotions position the previous four years. A member of the Tigers senior administrative staff, Cuervo directed 17 full-time employees on the marketing, media relations, Tiger Team Store, Spirit Squad and Band staffs.
One of Greenspan's primary objectives is to continue to promote and publicize IU Athletics, and he feels that Cuervo is an outstanding fit in this capacity.
"We're very pleased that Frank Cuervo is joining us here at Indiana," Greenspan said. "He has a very strong and diverse skill set in important external areas, and we believe his talents will make a positive impact for us right away. While we are fortunate to have made noticeable progress in our marketing and ticket sales efforts recently, there is still a very significant revenue and public visibility upside for us in this area. Frank's energy and work ethic will be an important asset in our continuing growth, and we're very happy to welcome him and his wife, Michelle, to Bloomington and to the IU family."
Cuervo echoed Greenspan's sentiments and looks forward to becoming a Hoosier.
"I am thoroughly honored to have the opportunity to become a part of an elite institution like Indiana," Cuervo said. "My gratitude goes out to Rick Greenspan and Tim Fitzpatrick for bringing me here to build on what is already a storied history of excellence. I look forward to meeting IU supporters throughout the state and making the Hoosiers the model athletics program in the Big Ten."
During his tenure at Missouri, Cuervo served as the financial administrator for six operating budgets totaling over $2.1 million. He oversaw marketing efforts for 20 sports programs, The Tiger Team Store and ticket sales efforts for football, men's and women's basketball and six Olympic sport programs. Under his direction, football attendance increased 18 percent and ticket revenue by $2.4 million (2001-05) while men's basketball reached over 90-percent capacity and achieved annual ticket sales revenues of more than $3.5 million over the same time span.
Cuervo also experienced success in the retail outlet, managing The Tiger Team Store - The Official Store of The University of Missouri Athletics. Sales increased from $500,000 to $1.4 million over a four-year period (2001-05). Cuervo guided the renovation of an existing location, the opening of a new location and instituted the primary online merchandising presence that has realized double-digit growth each fiscal year.
From 2000-01, Cuervo worked at Bowling Green State University as Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing & Sales and supervised the operations of the marketing, ticket and media relations departments. He developed the Falcon Partner Program, which encompassed 40 corporate sponsors and generated $500,000 annually. Cuervo also launched the school's first group sales and hospitality effort that focused on increasing attendance and interest in all athletic events.
Additionally, Cuervo coordinated a six-station radio network for football, hockey and men's basketball broadcasts as well as three half-hour coaches shows. He maintained the university's licensing program that consisted of 35 licensees and generated over $80,000 annually.
Cuervo arrived at Bowling Green from The Ohio State University, where he served as the athletic department's Marketing Coordinator (1999-00). With the Buckeyes, he was responsible for developing comprehensive marketing plans, season and group ticket sales campaigns and advertising for the football, men's and women's soccer, men's basketball and baseball programs.
Prior to his stint at Ohio State, Cuervo served as Marketing and Ticketing Coordinator with the Outback Bowl in 1999. He assisted with the coordination and planning of 12 special events for bowl sponsors, players and coaches and handled game-day operations.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in marketing and public relations and a minor in finance, Cuervo launched his career as an Assistant Account Executive for Manning Selvage & Lee Public Relations in Atlanta (1997-98). He worked to provide support and develop campaigns for various accounts, including The Georgia Tech Athletic Association.
Cuervo is married to the former Michelle Kuebler.
