Western Carolina University

Chad Gerrety stepped into the role of Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs in October of 2013 in the Western Carolina University Athletic Department. In this role, he directly supervises the marketing, corporate sales, and media relations activities of the department, and is heavily involved with department branding. In January 2024, Gerrety was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs.
 
Additionally, as a member of WCU Athletics Senior Staff, Gerrety is the direct sport administrator for the Catamount women’s soccer, women's tennis, and Catamount cheerleading, and works with football scheduling.
 
In the face of tremendous economic struggles in 2019-20, WCU’s sponsorship and fundraising efforts held course and finished the fiscal year strong under Gerrety’s leadership. Corporate sponsorship surpassed its annual goal of $400K for a second-consecutive year representing the highest two-year total on record, while ticket revenue was likewise at an all-time high eclipsing $500K between 2018 and 2020 combined.
 
Prior to coming to Western Carolina, Gerrety had spent the previous seven seasons as General Manager of the Akron ISP / IMG Sports Network at the University of Akron. He was responsible for the multimedia rights of the Akron Zips.
 
During his tenure with IMG at Akron, Gerrety oversaw corporate sponsorship sales that more than tripled, reaching an all-time high during the 2012-13 season. He produced the Terry Bowden and Keith Dambrot Television Show, a broadcast which aired throughout the country on SportsTime Ohio. He also oversaw the Akron IMG Sports Radio Network, expanding the reach of Zips broadcast throughout Northeast Ohio.
 
Gerrety also managed the sponsorship of a new $61 million on-campus football stadium at Akron. He also managed the corporate sponsorship program for the men’s soccer team which earned the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2010. Gerrety won the 2010 ISPY Chairman Cup award for top GM.
 
Prior to his stint at Akron, Gerrety was at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Hired in 1995 as Director of Athletic Marketing and Promotions, he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing, Promotions and Community Relations during the summer of 2000. Gerrety oversaw corporate sponsorship, marketing and promotions for all 15 NCAA Division I sports programs. He was also responsible for all ticket sales.
 
Weber State men’s basketball led the Big Sky Conference in attendance for eight seasons during his time at WSU. In 2005, Weber State set an all-time single game attendance record at their home opener, with over 17,000 fans in attendance. Gerrety was also involved in several facility improvements to Stewart Stadium including a new Sky-Box/Press Box facility in 2001. He also served on several search committees including the 2005 Athletic Director Search and 2004 Head Football Coaching Search.
 
Gerrety had previous ties to the Southern Conference as he served as a Graduate Assistant in the Athletic Department at East Tennessee State University, earning his Masters degree in 1995. As an undergraduate at Bowling Green State University, he was a student assistant in the athletic marketing department. He also interned for the Toledo Mud Hens during the summer of 1992.
 
Gerrety is originally for Erie, Pa. He and his wife, Kristin, are the parents of a daughter, Payton and a son, Tanner.