Newman University recently announced the appointment of Samuel Hersh as its new senior development officer for Athletics within the Institutional Advancement office.
A Newman alumnus and former student athlete, Hersh returns to his roots in Wichita to champion the university’s fundraising initiatives, with a particular focus on athletics.
In his new role, Hersh is tasked with engaging alumni, developing key relationships with donors and spearheading community outreach efforts for a new outdoor athletics facility project. His return marks a strategic move by Newman to further its mission and enhance its athletic programs during a pivotal time in its NCAA Division II era.
Looking forward to opportunities
Reflecting on his new role, Hersh expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunities that lie ahead.
“It’s really an exciting opportunity for me to come back and make a difference at a university I really care about,” Hersh said.
He emphasized the unique focus of his position on athletics fundraising and community engagement.
“I’m going to hit the ground running, starting with the turf and lighting project we’ve got going on. I’m really excited to start making phone calls, meeting with people and hopefully raise some money to get this thing done,” Hersh added.
Vice President of Institutional Advancement Bob Beumer believes Hersh is a perfect addition to his team. “We are excited for Sam to join us. His love of and passion for the University and his belief in the difference athletics can make on our campus comes across in his interactions with our alumni and donor community,” Beumer said.
Prior to joining Newman, Hersh gained significant experience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he served in the athletics department, focusing on compliance and the evolving sector of name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. According to Hersh, the role helped provide him with invaluable insights into the external facets of college sports and prepared him for his responsibilities at Newman.
Hersh’s journey at UNLV and his proactive involvement in NIL not only honed his skills but also deepened his interest in fundraising and external relations.
“The NIL space really sped up my interest in moving into the fundraising space,” Hersh said.
He aims to bring this forward-thinking approach to Newman, leveraging his experiences to benefit the university and its student-athletes.
Once a Jet, always a Jet
As a former right-handed pitcher for the Newman Jets from 2017 to 2019, Hersh’s connection to the university runs deep. He credits his time as a student-athlete and then head baseball coach Zane Ehling, with shaping his personal and professional growth, a perspective he is eager to share with current and prospective donors.
“My time as a student-athlete here was a big reason I wanted to return. I love this school and I’m looking forward to the future of all our teams here,” Hersh said.
In his vision for Newman Athletics, Hersh is focused on re-engaging alumni, enhancing the university’s brand and maximizing its visibility within the competitive MIAA conference. His goals include not just fundraising but also building lasting relationships that will support the university’s long-term objectives.
What to support at Newman University
The Newman University Athletics Fund directly benefits our exceptional student-athletes and dedicated coaches, and provides players the full Newman experience, in NCAA D II competition, in the classroom and in the community.
