Jordan new head of athletic marketing at UCA

Matt Jordan, a University of Central Arkansas alumnus and former marketing manager at AT&T, is the new Director of Athletics Marketing at UCA.

Jordan, 35, has been marketing manager in charge of sponsorships and communication at AT&T since 2000. Jordan, a 1997 graduate of UCA, replaces Lisa Cooley, who moved with her husband and former football assistant coach Todd Cooley to Northwestern State University last month.

With AT&T, Jordan managed a $1.3 million corporate sponsorship portfolio for a two-state region (Arkansas-Oklahoma) and worked with athletic departments at Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tulsa, Arkansas State and

UCA. He also worked with radio advertising, on-site promotions, special events and signage at events such as the BCS National Championship Game and the SEC and Big 12 men's basketball tournaments.

"We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to hire someone of Matt's experience and quality," said Brad Teague, UCA athletic director. "Matt brings a specific knowledge of sports marketing from his nine years with AT&T. He has a great knowledge of UCA and our athletics program and will be able to make a quick and smooth transition to our program."

Jordan worked previously for the City of Little Rock, the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney's office and Sigma Tau Gamma national fraternity. While a student at UCA, he served as the president of the Student Government Association. He has worked closely with UCA the past year as AT&T is one of the athletic department's corporate sponsors.

"I'm excited to get started," said Jordan, who will begin work in early July. "UCA has an outstanding athletic program and it's my alma mater, so I can't wait to get there. There are a lot of great things going on at UCA, and I'm excited to be a part of them."

Jordan will join a UCA athletics program that is transitioning to NCAA Division I and is one year away from full status at that level.

The Bears football team has played before record crowds in recent years with an expansion of tailgating and game-day activities, while the baseball program just opened a new stadium in 2009 and soccer and track will do the same this fall. The UCA volleyball team also won a division title in the Southland Conference and should be a favorite again this season.

"This is an exciting time for UCA athletics," Teague said. "We're hoping with the addition of Matt to our staff, it will only increase our visibility and add to our success, on and off the field."