Western Carolina University

Michaela Watkins joined the Catamount Athletics staff in May 2026 as the Director of Corporate Sponsorships. A WCU graduate, she returned to Cullowhee after most recently serving as a Manager of Business Development with Learfield, working primarily with Mocs Sports Properties.
 
At Learfield, Watkins focused on corporate sponsorships, driving multimedia and sponsorship opportunities for UTC. She transitioned into the role at Learfield after a year as the manager of group and season tickets for Athletes Unlimited. Her experience includes two and a half years working with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL, beginning as a ticket sales consultant and account executive, before moving into partnership activations and a season ticket account specialist. During her tenure with the Blue Jackets she worked as a Ticket Sales Consultant, Account Executive, working with various partners and also served as a season ticket account specialist. 
 
From Sylva, N.C., Watkins is a 2020 graduate of Western Carolina University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Management after beginning her collegiate career at Georgia Southwestern State University. She received her master’s degree in sport management from East Tennessee State in 2023, and is pursuing a master’s in marketing from Liberty University.
 
Watkins and her husband, Christian, have one child, Noah James.