Staff BiOgRaPhiES
P E R S O N N E L
JEREMY CORY MiKE JENKiNS kopAniAsz MOBLEY
Ticketing
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2nd Season
Jeremy Jenkins was named assistant manager of ticket operations for the University of Georgia Athletic Association in May 2011. In that position, Jenkins coordinates all ticketing operations for both the women’s basketball and baseball programs, as well as shared responsibilities with the football and gymnastics programs. Jenkins also has the pleasure of working alongside his grandfather, Tony Williams, who has been a member of the Athletic Association’s ticket office personnel for more than a decade. Prior to coming to Athens, Jenkins worked for a year and a half in the ticket office of the Atlanta Falcons, beginning as a ticket sales trainee before being promoted to group events and fundraising coordinator. Jenkins received his bachelor’s degree in sport management from UGA in August 2009 and was a member of a competitive paintball team during his days as a student. A native of nearby Watkinsville, Jenkins graduated from Oconee County High School in 2005. He is married to the former Candice Phillips of Savannah, Ga., and their family includes two dogs, Dozer and Kasha.
52
JOSh RUCCi
Academic Counseling ◊ 3rd Season
Sports Communications ◊ 18th Season
Strength & Conditioning ◊ 4th Season
Cory Kopaniasz joined UGA’s academic counseling staff in January 1999 and became a full-time employee in July 2000. He served as the academic center’s intern and graduate assistant before taking over full-time duties. Kopaniasz assists the Lady Bulldogs in a variety of academic issues, including classroom performance, progression toward degrees, arranging of tutors and mentors, and the improvement of their study skills and strategies. He also advises the men’s basketball team and has previously worked with Georgia’s baseball, football, gymnastics, swimming & diving and tennis programs. Because of his father’s employment for NATO, Kopaniasz lived for a short time in Brussels, Belgium, where he graduated from Brussels American High School. He received his bachelor’s in Economics from UGA in 2000, and two years later, he earned his master’s degree in Sport Studies from Georgia. Kopaniasz served as Associate Director for Academic Support at Ole Miss in 2008 before returning to his alma mater. He is married to the former Candace Waters and they have one son, Caden.
Mike Mobley was named Associate Sports Communications Director in July 2000 after serving as Assistant SID since 1995. He handles media relations for women’s basketball and women’s golf programs, as well as assisting with football. In 2000, Mobley was honored by Women’s Basketball Journal as one of five “All-American” women’s basketball SIDs. His 2007-08 women’s golf media guide was judged as the nation’s best by CoSIDA. Mobley received his bachelor’s in broadcast journalism from Georgia in 1989 and also served as a student assistant in the UGA SID office from 1985-89. Mobley worked with the 1990 Goodwill Games, Host Communications and Ken Small Marketing, which managed the Kuppenheimer Classic and the Atlanta Thunder World TeamTennis franchise. He served as venue press chief for the boxing competition at the 1996 Olympics and as information manager for Olympic Broadcasting Services at weightlifting during the 2012 Olympics. A native of Winder, Mobley and his wife, Sallie, have two children: Kevin and Caroline.
Josh Rucci joined the UGA strength and conditioning staff in January 2006. He brought a wealth of experience to Athens, including a stint as an intern with the Chicago Bulls. From 2004-05, Rucci was a volunteer student assistant with the strength and conditioning program while an undergraduate at Bowling Green, working primarily with football and hockey. A native of Chicago, Rucci then completed a seven-month internship with the Bulls and helped the team to its second straight play-off appearance. In 2006, Rucci came to UGA as a graduate assistant. He coordinated the strength and conditioning efforts for the cross country and golf programs and assisted with basketball, swimming & diving and gymnastics. Rucci is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). He received his bachelor’s as an Exercise Specialist in the Kinesiology program from BGSU in 2005 and his master’s in Motor Behavior from UGA in 2008 and is now pursuing a doctorate in the same field. He is married to the former Bridget Berish.