Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders announce new BRAA staff
1/31/2022 3:00:00 PM | General, BRAA
MURFREESBORO –Middle Tennessee has finalized its Blue Raider Athletic Association staff as announced by Director of Athletics Chris Massaro on Monday.
Under the direction of Deputy Athletic Director Lee De León, the new staff members are Associate AD for Development and Chief Development Officer Hans Malebranche, Associate AD for Development Clair Freels, Assistant AD for Development Robert Sampson and Director of Special Events Leigh Ann Brewton. Imani Smith remains on staff as the Development Coordinator.
"I am excited for our fans and supporters to meet and welcome our new Blue Raiders in the Development Office," said Massaro. "These were very impressive individuals during the search process. I am confident they will do a great job connecting with our fan base. I want to thank Dr. McPhee and Joe Bales for allowing us to make these hires. Getting more people engaged in our growing community was, and is, a huge need for us. I am excited to see the results of these efforts as we continue to grow our program."
Malebranche comes to MT after serving as an Assistant AD for Development and Director of Major Gifts at the University of Louisiana since 2019 where he assisted in the strategic direction, leadership, and management of an athletics development team that generated over $47.5M in gifts and premium seating revenue.
Malebranche, who has an undergraduate degree from Illinois and an MBA from St. Thomas University, will oversee the BRAA staff, manage the budget, track metrics and manage a large portfolio of major gift donors and premium seating prospects.
"I owe a huge THANK YOU to Dr. McPhee, Chris Massaro, Lee De León and Diane Turnham for entrusting me with the future growth of the BRAA and the privilege to work closely with our most passionate supporters," added Malebranche. "They shared their vision of the impact the Build Blue Campaign will have on our student-athletes and I jumped at the opportunity to build and lead the team that will help make it a reality. Our team will be relentless in our efforts to connect with our supporters in an effort to strengthen MTSU's commitment to student-athlete excellence both academically and athletically. I can't wait to get started and put down roots in the Murfreesboro community!"
Freels, a resident of Murfreesboro, spent the previous seven years at Vanderbilt University working in the National Commodore Club where she was recently elevated to an assistant athletic director overseeing the McGugin society and premium seating. Freels has been part of a staff that raises $12 million annually in support of student-athlete scholarships and most recently supported the launch of Vandy United, a $300 million capital campaign for athletic facilities.
Freels will oversee the sales and service of all the Premium Seating areas, manage a major gift portfolio and will assist Diane Turnham with women's sports oversight.
"I would like to thank Dr. McPhee, Chris Massaro, Lee De León and Diane Turnham for the opportunity to serve the student-athletes, coaches, donors, alumni and fans of MTSU," said Freels. "The momentum within the community and campus is contagious and I cannot wait to be a part of the BRAA team. My family and I are thrilled to deepen our established roots within the Middle Tennessee area and meet supporters in the near future. Go Blue Raiders!"
Sampson was most recently a special assistant to the director of athletics at Eastern Kentucky where he focused on growing revenues across multiple verticals, including notable success in fundraising and ticketing revenues. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Sampson has worked with NCAA Division I athletics departments in three Power Five conferences and six conferences overall, including work during his career in revenue generation, fundraising, team operations, gameday operations, ticketing, licensing, social media and communications.
Sampson will lead the annual giving efforts and strategies, manage volunteer fundraising, manage the BRAA database and manage a small portfolio of leadership annual giving donors.
"I am excited to be joining Middle Tennessee State University Athletics during a transformational time for the Blue Raiders," said Sampson. "I look forward to working alongside the loyal supporters of Blue Raider Athletics to support the success of our student-athletes and coaches. I appreciate the opportunity Lee De León and Chris Massaro have presented to me to join the MTSU staff in Murfreesboro."
Brewton, a 2016 graduate of MTSU, comes back home after serving the last three and a half years as the Director of Corporate and Workforce Engagement for the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties. Brewton is no stranger to the BRAA, as she worked in the office as a student during her entire time as an undergrad.
Brewton will organize, plan and execute special events, as well as assist with premium seating efforts while managing a small portfolio of leadership annual giving donors.
"I am excited and honored to join the Blue Raider Athletic Association staff as Director of Special Events," said Brewton. "As a Murfreesboro native, I am passionate about growing our MTSU community and look forward to being a part of a new team that will bring lots of excitement and energy!"
Smith will continue her role of leading customer service and stewardship efforts, ensuring BRAA member benefit fulfillment and gift processing. She will also drive all BRAA communication via email, social media and the BRAA website.
"The opportunity to hire almost an entirely new development team at the same time is extremely rare," said De León. "We had to get this right, and I'm confident that we did with the additions of Hans, Clair, Robert and Leigh Ann. Along with Imani, I have no doubt that they will embrace MTSU, build genuine relationships, and raise more money than we've ever raised before!"
Under the direction of Deputy Athletic Director Lee De León, the new staff members are Associate AD for Development and Chief Development Officer Hans Malebranche, Associate AD for Development Clair Freels, Assistant AD for Development Robert Sampson and Director of Special Events Leigh Ann Brewton. Imani Smith remains on staff as the Development Coordinator.
"I am excited for our fans and supporters to meet and welcome our new Blue Raiders in the Development Office," said Massaro. "These were very impressive individuals during the search process. I am confident they will do a great job connecting with our fan base. I want to thank Dr. McPhee and Joe Bales for allowing us to make these hires. Getting more people engaged in our growing community was, and is, a huge need for us. I am excited to see the results of these efforts as we continue to grow our program."
Malebranche comes to MT after serving as an Assistant AD for Development and Director of Major Gifts at the University of Louisiana since 2019 where he assisted in the strategic direction, leadership, and management of an athletics development team that generated over $47.5M in gifts and premium seating revenue.
Malebranche, who has an undergraduate degree from Illinois and an MBA from St. Thomas University, will oversee the BRAA staff, manage the budget, track metrics and manage a large portfolio of major gift donors and premium seating prospects.
"I owe a huge THANK YOU to Dr. McPhee, Chris Massaro, Lee De León and Diane Turnham for entrusting me with the future growth of the BRAA and the privilege to work closely with our most passionate supporters," added Malebranche. "They shared their vision of the impact the Build Blue Campaign will have on our student-athletes and I jumped at the opportunity to build and lead the team that will help make it a reality. Our team will be relentless in our efforts to connect with our supporters in an effort to strengthen MTSU's commitment to student-athlete excellence both academically and athletically. I can't wait to get started and put down roots in the Murfreesboro community!"
Freels, a resident of Murfreesboro, spent the previous seven years at Vanderbilt University working in the National Commodore Club where she was recently elevated to an assistant athletic director overseeing the McGugin society and premium seating. Freels has been part of a staff that raises $12 million annually in support of student-athlete scholarships and most recently supported the launch of Vandy United, a $300 million capital campaign for athletic facilities.
Freels will oversee the sales and service of all the Premium Seating areas, manage a major gift portfolio and will assist Diane Turnham with women's sports oversight.
"I would like to thank Dr. McPhee, Chris Massaro, Lee De León and Diane Turnham for the opportunity to serve the student-athletes, coaches, donors, alumni and fans of MTSU," said Freels. "The momentum within the community and campus is contagious and I cannot wait to be a part of the BRAA team. My family and I are thrilled to deepen our established roots within the Middle Tennessee area and meet supporters in the near future. Go Blue Raiders!"
Sampson was most recently a special assistant to the director of athletics at Eastern Kentucky where he focused on growing revenues across multiple verticals, including notable success in fundraising and ticketing revenues. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Sampson has worked with NCAA Division I athletics departments in three Power Five conferences and six conferences overall, including work during his career in revenue generation, fundraising, team operations, gameday operations, ticketing, licensing, social media and communications.
Sampson will lead the annual giving efforts and strategies, manage volunteer fundraising, manage the BRAA database and manage a small portfolio of leadership annual giving donors.
"I am excited to be joining Middle Tennessee State University Athletics during a transformational time for the Blue Raiders," said Sampson. "I look forward to working alongside the loyal supporters of Blue Raider Athletics to support the success of our student-athletes and coaches. I appreciate the opportunity Lee De León and Chris Massaro have presented to me to join the MTSU staff in Murfreesboro."
Brewton, a 2016 graduate of MTSU, comes back home after serving the last three and a half years as the Director of Corporate and Workforce Engagement for the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties. Brewton is no stranger to the BRAA, as she worked in the office as a student during her entire time as an undergrad.
Brewton will organize, plan and execute special events, as well as assist with premium seating efforts while managing a small portfolio of leadership annual giving donors.
"I am excited and honored to join the Blue Raider Athletic Association staff as Director of Special Events," said Brewton. "As a Murfreesboro native, I am passionate about growing our MTSU community and look forward to being a part of a new team that will bring lots of excitement and energy!"
Smith will continue her role of leading customer service and stewardship efforts, ensuring BRAA member benefit fulfillment and gift processing. She will also drive all BRAA communication via email, social media and the BRAA website.
"The opportunity to hire almost an entirely new development team at the same time is extremely rare," said De León. "We had to get this right, and I'm confident that we did with the additions of Hans, Clair, Robert and Leigh Ann. Along with Imani, I have no doubt that they will embrace MTSU, build genuine relationships, and raise more money than we've ever raised before!"
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