Greenwell Named Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations & Strategic Communications
August 29, 2022 | General
LOUISVILLE, KY - Zach Greenwell has been named Associate Athletic Director of Media Relations & Strategic Communications at UofL. The appointment was approved by the UofL Athletics Association Board of Directors today.
Greenwell will serve as a senior administrator within the external relations unit and as a member of the department's senior staff. He will lead the evolution of a hybrid, communications department, uniting the Media Relations and Creative/Digital Communications teams into a comprehensive unit. Rocco Gasparro has been elevated to the role of Director of Media Relations, and Carl Schmid remains Director of Creative Communications within those units. Greenwell also will serve as the lead media relations contact for the Louisville Men's Basketball program.
"We are thrilled to welcome Zach to the Cardinal Athletics family in the role of associate AD to lead our media and communications strategies," said Josh Heird, director of athletics. "He is a driven professional whose passion for student-athletes, their well-being and their stories is evident in all he does. I am confident his contributions to the next chapter of Louisville Athletics will be invaluable."
"Thank you to Josh Heird and Lottie Stockwell for this incredible opportunity, and to everyone at WKU who made my time there so special," said Greenwell. "Not only will I get to work alongside some of the most talented people in our industry to tell the stories of UofL and the city of Louisville, but I'm honored and humbled to take the reins from Kenny Klein as head of communications for Coach Kenny Payne and Louisville men's basketball. This is a tradition-rich program that's synonymous with college basketball, and I can't wait to get to work."
Held in high regard by peers and national media alike, Greenwell was named to The Athletic's "College Sports 40 Under 40 List" just last week. The list recognizes rising stars across the country impacting all corners of the collegiate athletics industry. Additionally, he recently participated in the LEAD1 Institute, a professional development program designed to prepare the next generation of athletic directors.
Prior to joining UofL, Greenwell served as a senior leader on Western Kentucky University Athletic Director Todd Stewart's staff as the senior associate athletic director for communications, brand strategy and men's basketball. In that role, Greenwell oversaw the entire WKU Athletic Communications/Media Relations department, including strategic communications, budgeting, creative content, digital programming, TV/radio/streaming agreements, publications, record-keeping and website maintenance. He also served as the department spokesman, in addition to leading efforts with multiple departments to promote and elevate the WKU brand through strategic campaigns and storytelling.
Additionally, Greenwell acted as the administrator for the WKU Men's Basketball program, providing oversight for all areas of the program including personnel, budgeting, academics and external relations. He also was heavily involved in the team's scheduling, including the solicitation, negotiation and execution of series contracts, guarantee games and neutral-site events.
Greenwell was a leader in WKU's name, image and likeness efforts, helping launch the "CLIMB" program through an elevated partnership with INFLCR Plus while developing the Hilltopper Local Exchange NIL business registry.
His other athletic department initiatives included creating the WKU Minority Fellowship program in 2021 and serving on WKU's COVID-19 task force, charged with creating a safe return to competition in 2020. Greenwell also was involved at the university level as a member of the President's Communication Cabinet and as a member of the Operating Allocation Committee to determine campus funding through a RAMP budget model.
Before joining WKU in 2016, Greenwell spent the first five years of his career in the newspaper business as a sports reporter.
An Ekron, Ky., native, Greenwell earned a bachelor's degree in news/editorial journalism, as well as minors in history and criminology from WKU in 2011. He completed a master's degree in intercollegiate athletic administration from WKU in fall 2019.
Greenwell and his wife Caitlin will reside in Louisville.
Additional Quotes:
Todd Stewart, Athletic Director, WKU
"The University of Louisville is adding an outstanding collegiate athletics executive and an even better person with their hiring of Zach Greenwell. Zach did a tremendous job for us in numerous administrative areas. In addition to the complex task of overseeing our entire communications operation and serving as our men's basketball sport administrator, Zach also played a vital role on both our Athletics Covid-19 task force and helping us navigate the many components of NIL. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Hilltopper Local Exchange which now has close to 50 local businesses signed up to partner with our student-athletes. He has a firm grasp of the media's perspective and needs but also always represents the best interests of our athletes and coaches. His vision, professionalism, proactive thinking and strategic planning made our entire athletic department better and a respected colleague among his peers. He certainly had my full trust, and I truly enjoyed working with him. His star is trending upward, and his future is very bright."
Rick Stansbury, Head Men's Basketball Coach, WKU
"I'm not sure we can replace Zach because he was my left and right arm for the last three years, particularly through the pandemic. Most of the time, he was the first call I made before I got out of bed; he was vital to the Hilltopper basketball program. To see him grow in this profession, there's no question Zach is one of the up-and-coming administrators in college athletics. He will be sorely, sorely missed at WKU, but at the same time, we are all very happy for him."
Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports
"Zach Greenwell is an outstanding addition to Louisville. His people skills and ability to delegate are second to none."
Jeff Goodman, Stadium
"Zach is a terrific hire. He's someone who has experience with everything in college sports. He handled media, scheduling, and just knows how to deal with people. This was one of those hires that will help Louisville, and a ton of people won't even realize the impact Zach will make because much of it will come behind the scenes."
Charles Bassey, center, Philadelphia 76ers
"Zach really helped make my time at WKU special. He always took care of us and looked out for our best interests. I know he will do great in his new role. Great men deserve great things."
Matt Norlander, CBS Sports
"Zach has been a consummate professional to work with, and it's no surprise to see his career take this next significant step. Louisville is getting one of the brighter young minds in college athletics. The program just got better by bringing him into the fold."
Greenwell will serve as a senior administrator within the external relations unit and as a member of the department's senior staff. He will lead the evolution of a hybrid, communications department, uniting the Media Relations and Creative/Digital Communications teams into a comprehensive unit. Rocco Gasparro has been elevated to the role of Director of Media Relations, and Carl Schmid remains Director of Creative Communications within those units. Greenwell also will serve as the lead media relations contact for the Louisville Men's Basketball program.
"We are thrilled to welcome Zach to the Cardinal Athletics family in the role of associate AD to lead our media and communications strategies," said Josh Heird, director of athletics. "He is a driven professional whose passion for student-athletes, their well-being and their stories is evident in all he does. I am confident his contributions to the next chapter of Louisville Athletics will be invaluable."
"Thank you to Josh Heird and Lottie Stockwell for this incredible opportunity, and to everyone at WKU who made my time there so special," said Greenwell. "Not only will I get to work alongside some of the most talented people in our industry to tell the stories of UofL and the city of Louisville, but I'm honored and humbled to take the reins from Kenny Klein as head of communications for Coach Kenny Payne and Louisville men's basketball. This is a tradition-rich program that's synonymous with college basketball, and I can't wait to get to work."
Held in high regard by peers and national media alike, Greenwell was named to The Athletic's "College Sports 40 Under 40 List" just last week. The list recognizes rising stars across the country impacting all corners of the collegiate athletics industry. Additionally, he recently participated in the LEAD1 Institute, a professional development program designed to prepare the next generation of athletic directors.
Prior to joining UofL, Greenwell served as a senior leader on Western Kentucky University Athletic Director Todd Stewart's staff as the senior associate athletic director for communications, brand strategy and men's basketball. In that role, Greenwell oversaw the entire WKU Athletic Communications/Media Relations department, including strategic communications, budgeting, creative content, digital programming, TV/radio/streaming agreements, publications, record-keeping and website maintenance. He also served as the department spokesman, in addition to leading efforts with multiple departments to promote and elevate the WKU brand through strategic campaigns and storytelling.
Additionally, Greenwell acted as the administrator for the WKU Men's Basketball program, providing oversight for all areas of the program including personnel, budgeting, academics and external relations. He also was heavily involved in the team's scheduling, including the solicitation, negotiation and execution of series contracts, guarantee games and neutral-site events.
Greenwell was a leader in WKU's name, image and likeness efforts, helping launch the "CLIMB" program through an elevated partnership with INFLCR Plus while developing the Hilltopper Local Exchange NIL business registry.
His other athletic department initiatives included creating the WKU Minority Fellowship program in 2021 and serving on WKU's COVID-19 task force, charged with creating a safe return to competition in 2020. Greenwell also was involved at the university level as a member of the President's Communication Cabinet and as a member of the Operating Allocation Committee to determine campus funding through a RAMP budget model.
Before joining WKU in 2016, Greenwell spent the first five years of his career in the newspaper business as a sports reporter.
An Ekron, Ky., native, Greenwell earned a bachelor's degree in news/editorial journalism, as well as minors in history and criminology from WKU in 2011. He completed a master's degree in intercollegiate athletic administration from WKU in fall 2019.
Greenwell and his wife Caitlin will reside in Louisville.
Additional Quotes:
Todd Stewart, Athletic Director, WKU
"The University of Louisville is adding an outstanding collegiate athletics executive and an even better person with their hiring of Zach Greenwell. Zach did a tremendous job for us in numerous administrative areas. In addition to the complex task of overseeing our entire communications operation and serving as our men's basketball sport administrator, Zach also played a vital role on both our Athletics Covid-19 task force and helping us navigate the many components of NIL. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Hilltopper Local Exchange which now has close to 50 local businesses signed up to partner with our student-athletes. He has a firm grasp of the media's perspective and needs but also always represents the best interests of our athletes and coaches. His vision, professionalism, proactive thinking and strategic planning made our entire athletic department better and a respected colleague among his peers. He certainly had my full trust, and I truly enjoyed working with him. His star is trending upward, and his future is very bright."
Rick Stansbury, Head Men's Basketball Coach, WKU
"I'm not sure we can replace Zach because he was my left and right arm for the last three years, particularly through the pandemic. Most of the time, he was the first call I made before I got out of bed; he was vital to the Hilltopper basketball program. To see him grow in this profession, there's no question Zach is one of the up-and-coming administrators in college athletics. He will be sorely, sorely missed at WKU, but at the same time, we are all very happy for him."
Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports
"Zach Greenwell is an outstanding addition to Louisville. His people skills and ability to delegate are second to none."
Jeff Goodman, Stadium
"Zach is a terrific hire. He's someone who has experience with everything in college sports. He handled media, scheduling, and just knows how to deal with people. This was one of those hires that will help Louisville, and a ton of people won't even realize the impact Zach will make because much of it will come behind the scenes."
Charles Bassey, center, Philadelphia 76ers
"Zach really helped make my time at WKU special. He always took care of us and looked out for our best interests. I know he will do great in his new role. Great men deserve great things."
Matt Norlander, CBS Sports
"Zach has been a consummate professional to work with, and it's no surprise to see his career take this next significant step. Louisville is getting one of the brighter young minds in college athletics. The program just got better by bringing him into the fold."
