Bulldog Biographies
GINA MIKE CHRISTIE GONZALES MOBLEY PURKS PROMOTIONS
SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Gina Gonzales joined the UGA Athletic Association staff as Assistant Director of promotions in 2015 to work with women’s basketball and volleyball. She was promoted to Associate Director in 2016 when she assumed responsibilities for the men’s basketball program as well. Prior to joining the staff in Athens, Gonzales served as the assistant director of marketing at Drake University, where she coordinated efforts for the women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s soccer and softball programs. Gonzalez also spent two years as the director of basketball operations for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s basketball program. She worked directly with Milwaukee head coach Kyle Rechlicz on coordinating fundraising efforts, team travel, budget, community outreach and other program functions. Gonzalez also spent a year as athletics marketing associate at Missouri State University. She worked closely with the women’s basketball team and coaching staff, planning and coordinating various events for the program. She also worked as ballpark operations assistant for the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 and as a marketing and promotions assistant at the College of Mount St. Joseph when she was in school. Gonzales earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Mount St. Joseph University and a master’s degree in Administrative Studies from Missouri State. As an undergrad, she played basketball at MSJ and earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors three times.
Mike Mobley is in his second season working with the Bulldogs after spending serving in the same capacity with Georgia’s women’s basketball program from 1995-2015. He also handles media relations efforts for the women’s golf program, as well as assisting with football. Mobley was honored by Women’s Basketball Journal as one of five “All-American” SIDs in 2000. His 2007-08 women’s golf media guide was judged as the nation’s best by CoSIDA. He currently serves as the sports information representative on the SEC Awards Committee. Prior to returning to Athens, Mobley worked as publications coordinator for the 1990 Goodwill Games, as an assistant editor for Host Creative Communications and as public relations director for Ken Small Marketing. Mobley received a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from UGA in 1989. As an undergrad, he worked as a student assistant in the sports information office, handling publicity for the men’s and women’s track and field and volleyball teams. During his career at UGA both as a student and full-time staffer, Mobley has assisted with the media relations efforts for 27 NCAA Championship events. Mobley has worked three Olympic Games, serving as Venue Press Chief for the Boxing competition for 1996 Olympic Games and as Olympic Broadcasting Services’ Information Manager at the Weightlifting and Handball venues for the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games, respectively. A proud native of Winder, Ga., Mobley and his wife Sallie have two children, Kevin, a UGA freshman, and Caroline.
Christie Purks, who joined the UGA Athletic Association in 1999, was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Event Management in 2015. In her current role, Purks’ responsibilities include managing event plans and operations for Georgia’s football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball and gymnastics programs. During her tenure, Purks also has handled event management duties with the UGA’s golf, soccer, softball and swimming & diving programs. Purks served as the championship director for the 2001 and 2008 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships held at Stegeman Coliseum, the 2013 NCAA Women’s Golf Championships played on the University of Georgia Golf Course and the 2002 NCAA Men’s and 2006 NCAA Women’s and Swimming & Diving Championships contested at the Gabrielsen Natatorium in UGA’s Ramsey Student Center. Purks was the chair of the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee from 2006-08, including when the Gymdogs hosted and won the 2008 NCAAs. She was selected as the UGA Athletic Association’s Employee of the Year in 2008. In 2010, Purks completed a certification with the Sport Management Institute, which features leading administrators at various college athletics programs. Before joining the Athletic Association, Purks worked at the University’s Visitors Center from 1995-99. A native of Atlanta, Ga., Purks is a twotime graduate of the University of Georgia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations and also received a master’s in sports administration.
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