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Jason Coomer was named the deputy athletic director in September 2016 having oversight of all external affairs areas. In addition, he broadened his managerial role supervising student-welfare areas of athletic training, medical, and strength and conditioning units. Previously, Coomer had been the Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs since 2012.
He has direct oversight of SIUE’s corporate partnership program, marketing, ticketing, licensing, fundraising, sports information, facilities, and broadcasting. Coomer serves as the sport administrator for women’s basketball, golf and wrestling.
The corporate partnership program took a giant leap under Coomer's direction in 2019 when a multi-million dollar naming rights for the Vadalabene Center was unveiled. With First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center, SIUE announced a 10-year deal that would help provide additional annual resources for the SIUE Athletic Department.
“I want to thank First Community President and CEO Glenn Barks and Vice President of Marketing Laura Alfeldt, for all their support,” said Coomer. “A tremendous amount of time and thoughtfulness has gone into this process. Throughout our discussions, it was evident that all involved had a sincere interest in making this partnership a reality. Without the collaborative approach that took place, this historic SIUE Athletics event would not have been possible.”
Coomer joined an elite group in 2015 as a member of the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee. He was one of four members from the NCAA Division I level.
Responsible for assessment, design, and management of SIUE Athletics’ Operations Plan, Objectives & Priorities, Coomer is responsible for leading all facets of Athletics Development, including the Cougar Excellence Fund, Red & Black Benefit, major gifts and planned giving. In 2021, SIUE Athletics whitnessed a record-breaking fundraising year.
Coomer’s efforts have resulted in SIUE Athletics expanding its brand and broadening its base as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference as well as an associate member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in wrestling and the Missouri Valley Conference in men's soccer.
While also serving as the men’s tennis coach from 2011 to 2016, Coomer has been the chair of several Athletics Department hires, including women's basketball Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith and wrestling Head Coach Jeremy Spates as well as multiple university staff positions.
Under Coomer’s leadership, SIUE Athletics has undertaken numerous marketing and social media ventures. He entered into a new agreement with SIDEARM sports to launch siuecougars.com, the Department’s official website.
He also oversaw the launch of SIUE’s first-ever online merchandise store – shopsiuecougars.com. SIUE enjoyed a record-setting year in royalties through merchandising in 2016 yielding a total retail impact of over $1 million. Coomer has been very active in promoting the sales of SIUE merchandise to local and national retailers with SIUE licensing revenue hitting an all-time high during his tenure. He also is responsible for oversight of SIUE’s apparel and equipment agreements, including adidas.
Coomer negotiated SIUE Athletics’ first direct apparel relationship with adidas. The relationship included all 14 of SIUE sports and has provided nearly $1 million in additional product to the department over the term of the agreements.
Coomer implemented online ticket sales for the first time in Department history. The result was the first men’s basketball sellout in 25 years.
In 2017, Coomer brought to SIUE its first multimillion-dollar corporate partnership rights agreement. The relationship resulted in an increase in corporate partnerships and new revenue streams.
A member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Coomer also completed the prestigious Sports Management Institute (SMI) executive program in 2013. In addition, he serves as a member of the advisory board for WSIE radio, the flagship station for SIUE Athletics.
Coomer came to SIUE in 2008 from DePaul University, where he served as the assistant director of marketing and licensing from 2005 to 2008. He served as DePaul’s assistant director of ticket sales and operations from 2003 to 2005.
Coomer worked in event management and ticketing while serving as a graduate assistant at The Ohio State University during the 2002-2003 athletic year.
Coomer, who played tennis as a student-athlete at the University of Southern Indiana (USI), earned a bachelor's in social science education in 2001 from USI and a master's in sports management at The Ohio State University in 2003.
