Fans passionate about sports teams can bring communities together in ways that only sports can. Dr. Lisa Campos, Northern Arizona University’s new vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics saw that to be true at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she previously served as senior associate athletic director for over a decade.
“El Paso is very much a college town – there are no professional sports teams – so it is similar to Flagstaff. College athletics was very supported by businesses in El Paso. There are a lot of businesses that support athletics in Flagstaff, but we want to grow that,” said Campos, 35, who is the youngest of only 26 females in the country leading Division I programs.
“Economic studies have shown how athletics affect the economy,” she said, adding that pride in the blue and gold “is good for both businesses and the athletic department.” Campos holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, an MS in Student Affairs in Higher Education and a BS in Business Administration.
“I’m very excited to be here, excited about getting support in the community and regaining support in Lumberjack pride,” said Campos, who believes that a stadium filled with cheering fans makes a great student/athlete experience. “With athletes coming from all over the country, [Lumberjack pride] helps recruit students and keep them through to graduation.”
To engage local businesses, Campos plans a door-to-door campaign. “We’ll be knocking on doors with the new basketball coaches, Jack Murphy and Sue Darling, and head football coach Jerome Souers. We want businesses to know that NAU athletics exist here in Flagstaff,” she said. “As we build our strategies, we’ll be asking businesses to display flags or posters in their establishments.
“When interviewing coaching candidates, we always look for experience in reaching out to the community. They both [new coaches Murphy and Darling] have a lot of experience reaching out. She has a marketing background and in the interview, it was clear that she has some great ideas to develop a program that will represent NAU and Flagstaff,” Campos explained.
“We did a Coaches Caravan in Flagstaff that was a big hit,” she added. The meet and greet at Granny’s Closet drew a few hundred people. The coaches caravanned to Sedona, Phoenix and Prescott. “We’re planning on going to Scottsdale soon.”
Campos suggested that Northern Arizona business people get involved by being part of the upcoming Wine & Dine in the Pines or by purchasing season tickets for employee perks and incentives. “Buy tickets for your staff and expose them to great athletics,” she suggested. The viewing opportunity and seating is more comfortable after the recent $25 million Skydome overhaul.
“We have listened to the community in response to our ticketing policies and have made changes to our prices and options for both season and single-game tickets,” said Campos, reminding people that Lumberjacks have won 113 Big Sky Championships. FBN
16th Annual Wine & Dine in the Pines, one of Northern Arizona’s premier events, spotlights a wide array of fine wines, gourmet food, specialty coffees and decadent desserts from the local hospitality industry. All proceeds from Wine & Dine in the Pines and silent auction go towards NAU athletic scholarships. Due largely to community support of events like this, the Northern Arizona University Lumberjack Athletic Association has contributed more than $300,000 toward NAU’s Athletic Scholarship Program in the current season.
NAU Season Football Tickets – Prices start as low as $120 for the new Family Pack, a general admission season package including two adult and two youth tickets for each game ($6 per person per game). Additional youth tickets for the Family Pack may be purchased for $30. Reserved season tickets are $100 for adults with a reduced rate of $90 for NAU faculty and staff. Youth (12 and younger) reserved season tickets are $65 for the five-game season.
Season tickets holders who renew or purchase before the early “Louie” deadline, July 31, 2012, will receive a free ticket to the NAU-Arizona State football game for each season ticket purchased.
Northern Arizona University Athletics Ticket Sales
www.nauathletics.com/tickets
928-523-5353
Wine & Dine in the Pines August 19, 2012
2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Wine Tasting and Food Service
Hart Prairie Lodge at Arizona Snowbowl
928-523-3389
Photo Credit: Sarah Hamilton, of the NAU Lumberjack Newspaper