ARLINGTON – Implementing a content-first strategy, UT Arlington Department of Athletics officials have announced several new staff members and a re-structuring of the external relations office to better serve each of the Mavericks' 15 programs, their student-athletes and constituents. In addition, a focus will be prioritized on expanding engagement and awareness of the UTA brand through creative and non-traditional messaging to helping grow revenue and attendance.
 
Leading the new regime is Jason MacBain, who began his duties last month as the department's Associate Athletic Director for Communications. Michael Eldridge was elevated to Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, while Mike Hill was added this month as the Assistant Director of Communications. Rounding out the quartet of new hires/promotions at the start of the academic year was Emmy Award-winning Neil Beasley as the department's Director of Video.
 
"Our efforts this summer and fall were to build a communications team based on our needs assessment of the department," stated Deputy Director of Athletics Russell Warren, who will oversee the group. "We are a small staff; therefore, we must all work together on the external side of our business to put forth best efforts in supporting our programs collectively and comprehensively. We've hired a creative group – and coupled with their wide array of experience – that will allow us to meet the challenges and demands of the ever-changing landscape in intercollegiate athletic communications. I'm very proud of the team we've assembled, and I can't wait to see the results."
 
Aside from the aforementioned quartet, the athletics communication unit is completed by Drew Harris, who will continue overseeing publicity efforts for the cross country and track and field programs. Furthermore, Josh Sours – the Voice of the Mavs – will continue assisting Beasley as a Digital Media Production Assistant.
 
JASON MACBAIN
MacBain comes to UTA following five years at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) as the Director of Athletics Communication, overseeing the office and being directly responsible for the PR efforts of the men's golf, men's soccer and men's basketball program – which played in the postseason and won 20 or more games each season he was there. At UTA, he will have direct oversight of the men's basketball and men's and women's golf programs.
 
While at FGCU, MacBain grew all facets of the department's communication, most notably related to video and website to cater to the ever-expanding visual generation. He was responsible for hiring and assembling a crew for a new ESPN3 (now ESPN+) initiative, allowing all home men's and women's basketball games – in addition to select other events – to be streamed online via ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. MacBain led a complete re-design of the department's website twice, and oversaw the hire of FGCU's first Coordinator of Video Operations to grow all areas of the department's visual communication. With the new position, FGCU was able to expand and improve its non-ESPN3 events, create creative and engaging content for video boards and social media and develop more human interest and community-service pieces.
 
In addition to the aforementioned roles, MacBain was also instrumental in helping grow FGCU's much-needed external revenues by working in conjunction with the rest of the external relations team. In his final year with FGCU in 2017, the department set a record $5.7 million in net revenue – a 35-percent increase in total revenue over a three-year span, from just over $4 million in 2014. MacBain came to FGCU after nearly a decade at St. Bonaventure University as an undergrad and graduate student and employee. After two years as an Assistant Sports Information Director at St. Bonaventure, MacBain (then 25) was promoted to lead the office in the spring of 2012, making him the youngest Division-I SID in the nation.
 
Warren's Thoughts:
"Jason MacBain brings a high level of experience to our communications team. His work with ESPN+, high-profile coaches and leadership qualities really set him apart from other candidates. He has a very holistic approach and creative external strategy for his communications team, which I found very appealing. We are in a large market, and our communication efforts must align with our overall external strategies to be successful, and Jason shares that view as well. We welcome him to our campus."
 
NEIL BEASLEY
Beasley comes to UTA after 18 years as a host, reporter and producer with FOX Sports Southwest. He will oversee and produce the department's video content. During his time in Irving at the Regional Network he earned 26 Lone Star EMMY Award nominations, taking home six for his work on features and programs such as 'The DQ Big Game of the Week,' 'High School Spotlight' and the 'UIL Championships.'
 
Beasley joined FOX Sports Southwest from Dallas affiliate KDAF-TV where he was a sports reporter/producer from 1999-2000. Before moving to Dallas, Beasley started as a sports reporter and weekend anchor at KSFY-TV in Sioux Falls, S.D. from 1990-95, sports director at KLBK-TV in Lubbock from 1995-97 – where he won an A.P. 'Best Sportscast in Texas' – and sports reporter/weekend anchor at WAWS-TV in Jacksonville, Fla. from 1997-99.
 
A native of Clearwater, Fla., Beasley was an All-Suncoast football player at Pinellas Park High School and committed to the University of Central Florida where he lettered as a wide receiver, punt return specialist and holder for the Knights before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Radio/Television in 1987. He began his sports television career as a UCF football analyst with Cablevision of Central Florida (1988-90).
 
Warren's Thoughts:
"What can I say about Neil Beasley? The experience he brings to our department is unmatched and definitely will set us apart from many places. Neil has the creativity, energy, vision and expertise to enhance our video and creative service levels to our expectations. His understanding of the DFW marketplace and the relationships he brings to us are game-changers. We are thrilled that he has begun a new chapter in his career right here at UTA."
 
MICHAEL ELDRIDGE
Eldridge has been a Maverick through and through, from attending the University in his undergrad in Journalism, to a graduate degree in Communications, he has been a part of the UTA family. Eldridge began in the UTA Athletics Department in 2011 as an undergraduate intern in communications. He then moved into a role as the department's first graphic designer in helping re-design UTAMavs.com, media guides and programs for all of the department's teams. Eldridge joined the SID staff as a graduate assistant in communications, with primarily responsibilities in covering the baseball team.
 
After two seasons, he moved into the role as the Assistant Director of Communications in 2014 and took over responsibilities for the women's basketball, softball and men's and women's tennis programs. Eldridge is active in the media world of the DFW metroplex, working with covering the Texas Rangers, TCU football, the Armed Forces Bowl, First Responders Bowl and the Davey O'Brien award where he is a social media assistant as well as designer of the bowl's media guides and game notes.
 
Warren's Thoughts:
"We elevated Michael Eldridge to Assistant Athletic Director during this process for his dedication and loyalty to our department. Michael is creative and analytical, and he continues to become the leader that I need him to be, and that I know he can be. We are excited about his promotion and the continuity that he brings to our team."
 
MIKE HILL
Hill, the cover subject for the Spring 2018 issue of the CoSIDA 360 Magazine and the "#SayNo2Polo" discussion (Link To Issue), comes to UTA after spending three years at Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) in Fort Myers, Fla. He will serve as the primary contact for the volleyball and baseball programs, in addition to spearheading the department's up-tick in graphics, social media and website content and aesthetic makeup. While at FSW, Hill served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations and Social Media and was responsible for overseeing all strategic communications for FSW's five sports, including directing all media, public relations, promotions, marketing, graphic design, video and social-networking efforts.
 
During his tenure at Florida SouthWestern, Hill increased followers for @FSWBucs on Facebook by 210% and Twitter by 540%. He was also tasked with designing the basketball court for the Buccaneers' $30 million dollar home, Suncoast Credit Union Arena, and taking the lead on overhauling the athletic department's website.
 
Hill, who has more than 13 years of athletic communications experience at the professional and collegiate levels, went to Florida SouthWestern after stints at Arkansas (2014-15), Xavier (2013-14), FGCU (2007-13), Ohio (2006-07) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2006). While at FGCU, Hill was was responsible for the development and growth of the department's social media presence and developed the school's first-ever Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles. In his time with the Eagles, he helped completely re-design the program's athletic website on two occasions (2009, 2011) and served as the primary contact for five different sports, including men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball and softball. He was also the secondary contact for the 2012-13 men's basketball team which won a 2013 ESPY for "Best Upset" during their historic run in the 2013 NCAA Tournament as the only 15 seed to make the Sweet 16 at AT&T Stadium and became "Dunk City."
 
Warren's Thoughts:
"Mike Hill brings a new-age skill set to our communications staff, mixed with a solid foundation of traditional sports information qualities. He comes from a program where he was a proven leader and wore many hats, so he is a great hire for us. He brings a level of energy and passion to the workplace that is exciting for our team."