JENNIFER ALGER - ACADEMIC ADVISOR Jennifer Alger serves as an assistant director in the Academic Services for Student-Athletes office. She has been with ASSA since January 2004. She is currently the lead advisor for men’s basketball, baseball and volleyball. In addition to advising, Alger is the liaison with UCF Orientation Services. She began her career with ASSA as an assistant academic advisor for the football team while earning her master’s degree in sports business management from the DeVos Sports Business Management Program at UCF. Alger received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from St. John’s. While at St. John’s, Alger was a member of the swim team, competing in the individual medley and distance freestyle events.
BEN O’DONNELL - STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH A former UCF point guard, Ben O’Donnell is in his first year as the program’s strength and conditioning coach. O’Donnell started working with the Knights during the summer of 2011. O’Donnell spent the 2009-10 campaign at UCF as a backup point guard. He appeared in 11 contests. The Largo, Fla., native began his college career at Florida State, and played in eight games as a freshman in 2007-08, including three in Atlantic Coast Conference play. O’Donnell earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from UCF in 2011. He served as an intern with the UCF strength and conditioning staff in 2010-11. O’Donnell, who holds a USA Weightlifting certificate, is pursuing his master’s degree in physical education/exercise science.
ANDY REBER - ATHLETIC TRAINER Andy Reber is in his ninth year as the head athletic trainer for the UCF men’s basketball team. He also works with the Knights’ men’s golf program. Prior to his current position, he worked as a graduate assistant at UCF, serving as the trainer for the cross country and track and field squads. During that time he earned his master’s degree in exercise physiology. The Hellertown, Pa., native received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2001 from West Virginia. As a student he completed an internship with the Chicago Bears. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association.
DOUG RICHARDS - ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS Doug Richards, who serves as UCF’s director of athletics communications, is in his seventh year working with the men’s basketball program. He leads the day-to-day media relations efforts for the athletics communications office. In addition to handling all publicity for the men’s basketball program, he serves as the media relations contact for men’s soccer, men’s golf and men’s tennis, while also assisting with football duties. He was promoted to director of athletics communications in July 2011. Prior to working with the Knights, Richards served as an assistant manager of athletic media relations at Maine. While at Maine, he managed the publicity for the Black Bear football, women’s basketball and volleyball teams. Before moving to Maine, he spent a year as a communications assistant at the BIG EAST Conference in Providence, R.I. Richards earned his bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations from UCF in 2003. Richards and his wife, Jessica, have a son Gordon, who was born in July 2007.
JOHN WHITFORD - EQUIPMENT MANAGER John Whitford is in his ninth year at UCF as an assistant equipment manager. He oversees equipment and supplies for several of UCF’s programs. A 1995 graduate of Manchester College in Indiana, he served as the school’s head basketball manager from 1991-95 and was also a member of golf squad from 1993-94. Whitford later served as an assistant golf coach his alma mater in 1995. Prior to UCF he worked as an assistant equipment manager at Ferris State from 1998-03, where he handled the school’s football duties. Whitford and his wife, Amy, have a son Andrew, who was born in May 2008.
13