ECU Athletic Director Jon Gilbert made an announcement on Tuesday regarding the athletic program, Pirate Club and ticket office in addition to the naming of the first Matt Maloney Fellowship winner.
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Photo credit: (ECU Sports Information)
By ECU Sports Information
ECU Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert has announced a strategic reorganization and several key promotions within the Pirate Club and the Athletics Ticket Office designed to enhance collaboration, maximize revenue generation and elevate the overall fan and donor experience.
Under the updated structure, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation/Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson will continue overseeing the Pirate Club and Ticketing Operations. The alignment of the two areas is intended to create greater operational efficiencies and strengthen service to Pirate Nation.
“We are excited about the future of ECU Athletics, and this reorganization reflects our commitment to building a strong, forward-thinking team dedicated to elevating the Pirate Club experience and all of the individuals who purchase tickets through our department,” Gilbert said. “We continue to explore opportunities to bring outside events to our facilities, supported by a dedicated team committed to maximizing revenue generation and leveraging the power of collaboration.”
As part of the restructuring, Macy Gladson has been promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Pirate Club and Ticket Operations. In her new role, Gladson will oversee the day-to-day functions of both the ticket office and Pirate Club operations. She previously served as Executive Director of Premium Seating and Pirate Club operations since 2023 after joining ECU in 2019 through REVELxp, where she managed hospitality operations in the TowneBank Tower. Gladson holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree in sports industry management from Georgetown University.
Joining the ticketing staff, Blaise Hudson has been named Director of Ticket Operations after spending five years with the Pirate Club as Assistant Director of Development. A two-time graduate of East Carolina University, Hudson previously oversaw operations for the Student Pirate Club and was a liaison to the ticket office.
Ellie Upshaw (Associate Director) and Stacia Hazboun (Assistant Director), both of whom joined within the past year, will continue serving key roles within the ticket office.
Danielle Morrin has been promoted to Associate Athletics Director for Development and will play an integral role alongside Robinson in leading comprehensive fundraising operations and cultivating major philanthropic support for ECU Athletics. Morrin joined the Pirate Club in 2021 and most recently served as Assistant Athletics Director for Development. She previously spent two years in the department as life skills coordinator where she managed life skill development and community outreach for student-athletes. A former four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain for the Pirates swimming team, Morrin graduated Magna Cum Laude from ECU in 2015 and has a master’s degree from NC State.
The Pirate Club has also expanded its development team with the additions of Harrison Martin and Jack Powers as Assistant Directors of Development and Ella Coxe as Assistant Director of Development and Donor Experience.
A Greenville native, Martin spent the past year as a development assistant with the Pirate Club, where he supported donor stewardship initiatives and membership renewals. He earned his undergraduate degree from NC State and a master’s degree in sport management from the University of Florida.
Powers returns to Greenville after competing as a member of the ECU Pirates football program, where he earned his Master of Business Administration. Prior to ECU, he spent three years at University of Nevada, earning a degree in business management. He most recently worked with Stryker in orthopedic joint replacement sales.
Coxe joins the Pirate Club from Ohio University, where she served as Assistant Coordinator of Athletics Executive Operations. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and dual master’s degrees in Sport Administration and Business Administration from Ohio University. In her new role, Coxe will focus on enhancing donor engagement and creating meaningful experiences for Pirate Club members and supporters.
First Recipient of Matt Maloney Postgraduate Fellowship Announced
Former ECU student-athlete Kendall Bensen has been named the inaugural recipient of the Matt Maloney Postgraduate Fellowship, ECU Pirate Club Executive Director Ryan Robinson announced Monday.
The fellowship was established earlier this year in honor of Matt Maloney following his retirement in March after 36 years of dedicated service to ECU Athletics and the Pirate Club. The endowed postgraduate fellowship is designed to provide aspiring professionals with valuable hands-on experience in collegiate athletics administration and development while preparing them for future careers in the industry.
Bensen concluded a standout four-year career with the Pirates swimming and diving program, where she also served as Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President during the past year. Academically, Bensen earned an undergraduate degree in marketing before graduating last month with an MBA and also completed a graduate certificate in marketing.
“We are so thankful to all the individuals who have supported the Matt Maloney endowment,” Robinson said. “Matt Maloney and I spent considerable time looking for the right fit to be the inaugural recipient. Kendall distinguished herself throughout her time at ECU through her leadership, work ethic, and commitment to serving others.”
Bensen officially began her role on June 1.