Miami Names Freet Associate Athletic Director for Communications
Aug. 6, 2010
CORAL GABLES, FLA. – University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt has announced the hiring of Chris Freet as the Associate Athletic Director for Communications. In this capacity, he oversees the Hurricanes’ sports media relations efforts, as well as serving as the primary liaison with the department’s broadcast partner and oversight of HurricaneSports.com.
Freet joins the Hurricanes’ staff after serving nearly three years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at the University of South Florida and previously as the Associate Director of Media Relations at the University of Oklahoma.
“I’m pleased to welcome Chris to the University of Miami,” said Hocutt. “He is a dynamic, forward-thinking professional who will reinvigorate our external communications efforts, and help position this program in the best possible way. Additionally, his enthusiasm and experience with social media will enhance our online product for fans as we strive to continually improve every facet of our program.”
“There are very few brands with a stronger presence in college athletics than Miami,” said Freet. “It’s a privilege to join the team and work with leaders like President Shalala, Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt and head coach Randy Shannon. There are an abundance of positive, uplifting and unique stories that haven’t been told about The U and I look forward to bringing those stories to life on a local, regional and national level.”
At USF, Freet’s accomplishments included redesigning the website which reached upwards of nine million impressions per fiscal year; led social media efforts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Digg; shifted core design skills of entire staff from desktop publishing to web design, becoming the first BIG EAST school to produce interactive media guides and cease the production of printed guides for all sports; and carved out budgetary dollars to create a multimedia video team.
In addition to his administrative duties for the Bulls, Freet managed the media relations efforts for the football program, helping it receive unprecedented national media coverage and honors.
Freet previously spent five years working in the athletics media relations department at Oklahoma, serving as the secondary contact for the football program, as well as the primary contact for women’s basketball, softball, volleyball and men’s and women’s gymnastics.
The Mission Hills, Calif., native oversaw the successful promotion of Courtney Paris to 2007 AP Player of the Year, and played an integral part in the successful promotion of Heisman trophy winner Jason White and All-Americans Adrian Peterson, Mark Clayton and Jammal Brown.
A 2002 graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a degree in communications, Freet married the former Courtney Tysinger in June and the couple resides in Coral Gables.
