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Steve’s breakdown: The new guy will be heading up marketing/web development, ticket sales, Beaver Sports Properties, licensing, advertising, fan experience and media contracts.
CORVALLIS, OR: John Rizzardini has been named chief marketing officer, Oregon State University Director of Athletics Bob De Carolis announced Monday. Rizzardini’s appointment is contingent on the University’s Administration and Human Resources’ approval.
Rizzardini joins the Beaver staff after serving as the senior vice president of ticket sales and service for the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild.
“I’m excited to have someone of John’s caliber and experience joining Beaver Nation,” De Carolis said. “John has invaluable experience in marketing, ticket sales, fan experience initiatives and advertising, and brings an overall wealth of knowledge to our team as we grow our brand.”
Prior to his stint with the Wild, Rizzardini spent eight years as the chief operating officer for the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders and Qwest (now CenturyLink) Field. He also served two stints with the Vancouver Canucks, most recently as the senior vice president, and has been the executive vice president for the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Galaxy, and the vice president of the Golden State Warriors. While with those organizations he was part of an administrative team that opened Staples Center and GM Place, launched successful brands and rebrands for the Seahawks and Sounders, and was a committee member for the successful Vancouver Olympics and World Cup events.
At OSU, Rizzardini will lead the administration in the development, execution and evaluation of the vision, mission and goals of the Athletic Department with the primary area of focus on the external constituents that include: marketing/web development, ticket sales, Beaver Sports Properties, licensing, advertising, fan experience and media contracts.
