Photo by: Ken Inness
Cunningham Joins MAC Staff
November 27, 2017 04:34 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Senior Associate Athletic Director/Executive Director of the Mountaineer Athletic Club (MAC) Ben Murray announced today the hiring of Brandon Cunningham.
Cunningham joins the MAC staff as an associate athletic director for major gifts and capital projects and is responsible for management and leadership of the overall major gift program, including capital projects and planned giving, as well as endowment for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He arrives in Morgantown after spending the last nine years with NC State's Wolfpack Club in various roles.
"We are very excited to have Brandon, his wife, Jenny, and sons Max and Jake join our Mountaineer Athletic Club family," Murray said. "Brandon brings a wealth of experience from his time at NC State and possesses great leadership qualities to guide our major gift department. I look forward to Brandon settling into his new position and meeting our MAC members."
Most recently, Cunningham served as the associate director for the Wolfpack Club, a position he held since January 2014. In that role, he solicited and cultivated a profile of 150 donors and prospects for major gifts toward capital projects and the endowment. Additionally, Cunningham was responsible for coordinating the fundraising efforts totaling $210 million to go toward the endowment, Close-King Indoor Practice Facility, Reynolds Coliseum Renovation and the Case Commons Basketball Dorm, all part of the "Championship Commitment" campaign. He also closed more than $13 million worth of capital gifts.
Prior to his elevation, Cunningham previously served in the role as assistant director for the Wolfpack Club from August 2009 – December 2014. During that time, he grew and maintained 250 accounts for The Wolfpacker donor publication, increasing annual scholarship donations by at least $700,000 per year. Responsible for growing and increasing advertising revenue 71 percent throughout the six-year period, Cunningham also planned and coordinated fundraising initiatives with Wolfpack Club volunteers and representatives in three districts within North Carolina and 12 additional states.
Cunningham spent one year as an intern within the Wolfpack Club. Among his many duties were the organization of the Athletic Director's Dinner, maintaining renewals and aiding recruitment for the Student Wolfpack Club and Junior Wolfpack Club, as well as assisting with ticket and parking assignments for the men's basketball and football seasons.
Before moving to Raleigh, Cunningham served as an intern with Louisville's Cardinal Athletic Fund from April 2007 – July 2008. There, he was involved with the expansion of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the transition into the KFC Yum! Center, implementing a re-seating plan and selling club level seats and suites for both facilities. He also solicited and advised donors of matching gift opportunities, bringing in approximately $25,000 to the annual scholarship fund.
Cunningham received his bachelor's degree in political science from Transylvania University in 2006 and his master's degree in sport administration from Louisville in 2008.
Cunningham joins the MAC staff as an associate athletic director for major gifts and capital projects and is responsible for management and leadership of the overall major gift program, including capital projects and planned giving, as well as endowment for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He arrives in Morgantown after spending the last nine years with NC State's Wolfpack Club in various roles.
"We are very excited to have Brandon, his wife, Jenny, and sons Max and Jake join our Mountaineer Athletic Club family," Murray said. "Brandon brings a wealth of experience from his time at NC State and possesses great leadership qualities to guide our major gift department. I look forward to Brandon settling into his new position and meeting our MAC members."
Most recently, Cunningham served as the associate director for the Wolfpack Club, a position he held since January 2014. In that role, he solicited and cultivated a profile of 150 donors and prospects for major gifts toward capital projects and the endowment. Additionally, Cunningham was responsible for coordinating the fundraising efforts totaling $210 million to go toward the endowment, Close-King Indoor Practice Facility, Reynolds Coliseum Renovation and the Case Commons Basketball Dorm, all part of the "Championship Commitment" campaign. He also closed more than $13 million worth of capital gifts.
Prior to his elevation, Cunningham previously served in the role as assistant director for the Wolfpack Club from August 2009 – December 2014. During that time, he grew and maintained 250 accounts for The Wolfpacker donor publication, increasing annual scholarship donations by at least $700,000 per year. Responsible for growing and increasing advertising revenue 71 percent throughout the six-year period, Cunningham also planned and coordinated fundraising initiatives with Wolfpack Club volunteers and representatives in three districts within North Carolina and 12 additional states.
Cunningham spent one year as an intern within the Wolfpack Club. Among his many duties were the organization of the Athletic Director's Dinner, maintaining renewals and aiding recruitment for the Student Wolfpack Club and Junior Wolfpack Club, as well as assisting with ticket and parking assignments for the men's basketball and football seasons.
Before moving to Raleigh, Cunningham served as an intern with Louisville's Cardinal Athletic Fund from April 2007 – July 2008. There, he was involved with the expansion of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the transition into the KFC Yum! Center, implementing a re-seating plan and selling club level seats and suites for both facilities. He also solicited and advised donors of matching gift opportunities, bringing in approximately $25,000 to the annual scholarship fund.
Cunningham received his bachelor's degree in political science from Transylvania University in 2006 and his master's degree in sport administration from Louisville in 2008.
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