Ivey Tabs Industry Vet Jay Lucas as new Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

NACOGDOCHES, Texas --- Jay Lucas has been named the Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications for SFA Athletics as announced Thursday by Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey.

"I am excited to welcome Jay and Vicki to SFA and Nacogdoches," Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey shared. "Jay has extensive professional and collegiate experience in media relations, marketing and communications, and will be a great addition and leader to our strategic communications unit.  Telling the fascinating and wonderful stories of our programs and student-athletes is critical for our ability to connect with 'Jack Nation."

Lucas brings experience from all levels of sports including XFL, college athletics, Major League Baseball and NASCAR with him to the Piney Woods.  Next month, Jay's achievements will be recognized as he is entered into the Fullerton College Athletics Hall of Fame.

Before heading to SFA, Lucas was responsible for various initiatives within the XFL as the Director of Communications and Media Relations for the Houston Roughnecks football club. He played an integral role in leading the public and media relations efforts in launching the Houston Roughnecks brand through strategic media campaigns, ticket programs and grassroots marketing efforts. Key releases included the debut of the team's name and logo, inaugural XFL draft, team uniform unveiling among other responsibilities. His marketing and media relations efforts were rewarded as the earned media coverage outpaced marketing spend by a four-to-one margin.    

Prior to the XFL, Lucas spent time at California Baptist University in a similar capacity as the Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Media Relations. Before CBU, Lucas was also the Vice President of Communications for the Houston Astros where he was responsible for all external and internal club communications efforts and served as club spokesperson when needed. Ahead of his time in Houston with the World Series Champion Astros, Jay served various external roles within the Anaheim Angels organization.  He served as director of publicity and broadcasting in 2002 and 2003, managing strategic communication plans for the marketing, broadcasting and community relations departments.

Lucas began his Major League baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 (1988-1996). As director of publicity, he coordinated all public relations efforts for the organization and was in charge of all media relations activities.  He has planned and executed media relations efforts for three World Series (1988, 2002, 2005), six League Championship Series (1988, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004 and 2005), the 2004 All-Star Game in Houston, and was the San Diego venue press chief for the World Baseball Classic in 2009.

In 1996, Lucas joined the professional racing industry as the director of public relations for Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI) and the California Speedway. In his role, he planned all communications initiatives for PMI and the PMI speedways, focusing on NASCAR and CART events from 1996-2001. 

A 1981 communications graduate from Chico State, Lucas began his communications career as a public relations assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers and the then-California Angels in 1981. 

"Jay has had the opportunity to witness some great moments in sports history, and be associated with some major professional organizations," Ivey continued. "I am confident that he will be able to lean on those experiences and networks to help lead our strategic communications unit and grow the exposure and awareness of SFA Athletics, while leading our unit forward."

For additional information, please contact Jay Lucas - Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications at jay.lucas@sfasu.edu.