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Fumi Kimura Named Deputy AD

Fumi Kimura Named Deputy Director of Athletics, External Operations

12/16/2022 10:30:00 AM | General

Experienced Public Relations Professional to Lead Wildcat Athletics’ External Operations Team

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire Director of Athletics Allison Rich, Esq., Ed.D. announced Friday that Fumi Kimura has been hired as the Deputy Director of Athletics, External Operations. Kimura, a public relations executive with more than 20 years of experience, joins the Wildcat Athletics family after spending the last four years as an Associate Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh. She will begin in her new role January 9, 2023.

"It is with great excitement and anticipation that we welcome Fumi Kimura to our team as the UNH Deputy Director of Athletics, External Operations," Rich said. "Among the many impressive candidates who competed for this important role, Fumi stands out for her extensive background in relationship building, strategic vision and communication, leadership, and brand management in collegiate and professional sports."

Fumi Kimura joins Pitt student-athletes at the ACC Unity Tour in Selma, Ala.

Under Rich's direction, Kimura will be a member of the department's senior leadership team with oversight of marketing, brand management, revenue generation (including ticketing and sponsorships through Wildcat Sports Properties), media relations, strategic communications, multimedia, and broadcast. She will be responsible for the strategic development and execution of initiatives within these areas to go along with sports administration assignments.

"After meeting Allison and members of her staff, it was very clear to me that UNH is a special place," Kimura said. "There is a deep sense of responsibility and pride felt here in serving student-athletes and positioning them to succeed. I sincerely thank Allison for inviting me to be a member of her team and giving my family and me a wonderful opportunity to be part of a community that is committed to making UNH Athletics a point of pride."

At Pitt, Kimura serves as the Associate Athletic Director, Culture, Diversity, and Engagement (2020-present) and previously as the Associate Athletic Director, Administration (2019-20). Presently, she is Director of Athletics Heather Lyke's liaison to the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor's Senior Leadership Team, and a member of the Executive Team. Kimura, who was a lead member of the committee that developed the athletic department's new strategic plan, is the University's NCAA Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee, a member of the LEAD1 Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and an ACC CORE Unity Tour Planning Committee member.

Kimura works directly with department and campus partners, the NCAA, and the ACC on promoting an inclusive environment through dialogue, education, and positive action. Additionally, she coordinates and facilitates internal and personal communications on behalf of the Director of Athletics, which includes managing numerous speaking engagements and public appearances. She took the lead on developing a new department EDI strategic plan.
 

Fumi Kimura and the Pitt staff put together bikes and donated them to youth in surrounding communities as part of a Build-a-Bike initiative.

From 2015-18, Kimura was the Senior Director, Public Relations & Communications for FC Cincinnati. She helped build one of the hottest soccer franchises in North America, leading to receipt of an invitation to join Major League Soccer in less than three years. Executing and overseeing the franchise's public relations strategy, she produced over $1 million in earned local media value in 2016. Kimura developed and led the External Communications group, collaborating with production, graphic design, marketing, merchandise, ticketing, and web design to ensure dynamic and consistent messaging across all areas. She drafted and managed all internal and external communications for the club, was a key member of the team tasked with assembling the MLS's extensive expansion application, and collaborated with the local civic group created to present Cincinnati as an Official Host City for the 2026 World Cup.

Prior to joining FC Cincinnati, Kimura was an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at her alma mater, the University of California, Irvine (2001-15), serving as the primary contact for the nationally ranked baseball team and women's volleyball team. She also had three stints as the press officer for the U.S. Women's National Baseball Team.

Kimura, who graduated from UC Irvine with degrees in Japanese and Russian, spent nearly three years living overseas in Japan and Spain.

About UNH Athletics
UNH Athletics is committed to providing an outstanding student-athlete experience while serving as a source of pride for the University community, the State of New Hampshire, and UNH alumni across the country and the globe. The UNH Athletics core values of integrity, inclusion, respect, civic engagement, leadership, and academic achievement guide a culture committed to the pursuit of excellence.


UNH Athletics is committed to supporting every team and student-athlete as they strive for conference and national championships, excel in the classroom, and provide leadership on campus, in the community, and as global citizens.