Colorado University Athletics

GEBRE-MARIAM NAMED TICKET MANAGER

GEBRE-MARIAM NAMED TICKET MANAGER
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            BOULDER ? The University of Colorado has named Ruph Gebre-Mariam as its ninth athletic ticket manager in its history, school officials announced Friday.

 

Gebre-Mariam, 36, returns to the department on campus where he worked as an undergraduate in the late 1980s and full-time upon his graduation through 1997, when he left athletics for a position across campus.

 

            CU-Boulder Chancellor Richard Byyny approved Gebre-Mariam’s hiring on Friday.

 

            Gebre-Mariam graduated from CU in 1990 with a degree in marketing and international business.  As a student, he worked in the athletic ticket office, and upon his graduation, was hired full-time by the department as its travel coordinator.  He also had some supervisory duties in purchasing.

 

            He left athletics in January 1998 for CIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences), as he became an account manager in the finance unit and then as a liaison in human resources and payroll.

 

            “I missed the excitement of this dynamic group,” Gebre-Mariam said about rejoining athletics.  “This is where I started my professional career, and it’s where I want to make my home.  I look forward to working with everyone in athletics as well as the great CU fans.”

 

            “I’m excited that he is coming back to the athletic department,” said Jon Burianek, CU senior associate athletic director.  “His familiarity with the ticket and business office as well as with our customer base, was an important attribute.  He understands athletics, the campus, our fans and most important, customer service.  He is a great addition, or ?re-addition,’ to our staff.”

 

            Burianek is one of CU’s previous eight athletic ticket managers; he held the position for over 17 years (1970-87), as did Kayo Lam (1940-57).  Others have included Dick Christopher (1957-68), Ken Farris, Jr. (1969), Kevin Fenton (1987-90), John Degling (1990-94), Caroline Fenton (1994-99) and Ed Gow (1999-2004).

 

            Gebre-Mariam will assume his new position on June 16.  He replaces Gow, who left the department in February for a director position with Tickets West in Spokane, Wash.