Ferrera Named Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations
7/16/2024 11:00:00 AM | General
BUFFALO, NY – Sean Ferrera has been hired as Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations, University at Buffalo Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt announced on Monday. Ferrera will oversee UB's external units, most notably development, marketing and ticketing.
"We are very fortunate to recruit Sean Ferrera to UB Athletics," Alnutt said. "He comes to UB with diversified experience and has demonstrated a high level of success in key external areas at his previous stops. I look forward to seeing our external team continue to grow as one cohesive and innovative unit under his leadership as we engage and galvanize Western New York and key constituents nationally. I look forward to Sean, his wife Breanna and their one-year-old son, Zayn, joining the UB family in early August."
Ferrera comes to Buffalo from Long Beach State where he spent three years serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations. He oversaw ticketing, marketing, communications, broadcasting, development and sponsorship.
His development unit generated $1.2 million in Beach Athletics Fund contributions in 2022-23. His ticketing unit generated $1.06 million in athletics ticket revenue for the 2023-24 campaign, marking the first time in school history LBSU crossed $1 million in ticket sales. Additionally, the marketing unit set multiple attendance records across LBSU ticketed events.
Prior to Long Beach State, Ferrera spent four years at New Mexico. After beginning his tenure with the Lobos as Director of Development, Premium Seating, he was promoted and served his final two years as Associate Athletic Director for Development.
He oversaw many aspects of development, specifically overseeing UNM's transition to Paciolan ticketing. He worked closely with marketing and communications in cultivating a unified message regarding the Lobo Club, and he served on several committees, including the We Are New Mexico roll-out campaign.
As the Director of Premium Seating, he was responsible for UNM's premium seating areas, including the U.S. Bank Club End Zone and Zia level seating at Dreamstyle Stadium and the U.S. Bank Club and Suite levels at Dreamstyle Arena.
Ferrera spent the previous two and a half years with Legends Global Sales at the University of Oklahoma, working on a $160 million stadium renovation. The project added 20 new suites, 66 loge boxes and new club areas for a variety donors and new businesses to enhance the fan experience at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.
Ferrera also spent time on college campuses at UCLA and UC Riverside in their marketing and ticketing departments.
"My family and I are grateful for the opportunity Mark and the search committee have provided us," Ferrera said. "UB is a cornerstone of the Western New York community, and I look forward to working alongside our incredible coaches and staff to add to its great history."
A California native, Ferrera earned his B.S. in business administration and management and international management from UC Riverside where he competed on the track & field team.
