UT ARLINGTON ATHLETICS JIM BAKER - DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Jim Baker joined the University of Texas at Arlington as director of intercollegiate athletics Feb. 1, 2012, the same day the university and department opened the $78 million, 7,000-seat College Park Center. Since that day, Baker has put his own stamp on the department, spearheading numerous program upgrades and leading the way in the areas of sales and staffing, which have led to unprecedented growth. One of his first projects was to upgrade the department’s baseball and softball facilities. He oversaw the development and construction of indoor hitting and practice facilities for each team, which opened with the start of the 2013 season. Baker then announced the plans for a $5.5 million project to build clubhouses for each of those teams in September of 2013 which will be ready for the 2015 seasons. He was also instrumental in the department’s reaching an agreement with Nelligan Sports Marketing to handle its sponsorship and media rights. That contract has resulted in the largest one-year sponsorship total in UT Arlington athletics history, as well as the signing of the largest contract with a sponsor in Nelligan Sports Marketing history.
Baker previously served as associate athletic director for events, operations and sports programs at the University of Texas, where he helped direct significant growth in one of the nation’s most recognized athletics programs. In his 20 years with the Longhorns, Baker had wideranging responsibilities, from directing merchandising and concessions, to overseeing more than a dozen athletic facilities construction projects. He had chief responsibility for the Texas golf and baseball programs and directed all game-day activities for football. Baker earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, and held positions with Gladieux Food Service at Ohio State University and the University of Florida before joining Texas in 1991. Baker and his wife, Nancy, have two grown sons.
UT ARLINGTON ADMINISTRATION
Dr. Vistasp Karbhari President
Dr. Barry McKeown
Debbie Garcia
Craig Shaver
John Mocek
Faculty Representitive
Senior AD Senior Woman Administrator
Senior AD Development
Senior AD Finance and Administration
UT ARLINGTON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Art Garcia (M. Basketball, Baseball, Golf) Phone: (817) 272-2239 Email: artgarcia@uta.edu Melissa Cebold (W. Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Tennis) Phone: (817) 272-7168 Email: mcebold@uta.edu Drew Harris (Cross Country, Track and Field) Email: drew@firstpitchpr.com Communication Graduate Assistants Taylor Wright - Taylor.wright@mavs.uta.edu Michael Eldridge - Michael.eldridge@mavs.uta.edu
Address: College Park Center 601 Spaniolo Dr Arlington, Texas 76019-0079 Media credentials for baseballgames are available by contacting Art Garcia (artgarcia@uta.edu). Media seating for UTA baseball games are assigned on individual game-by-game basis. Credentials for media personel are available for pick up at the west entrance of College Park Center. For further information about media credentials, or informationregarding the men’s team, please contact Art Garcia.
2014 BASEBALL MEDIA GUIDE
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