Ripon College announced that Patricia (Trisha) Malizia has been hired as the new associate athletics director for external affairs. Malizia, formerly the associate director of athletics for communications and external affairs at Columbia University in New York City, replaces Scott Wilson, who was named director of media and public relations at Ripon College.
“The addition of Trisha to our staff strengthens the college’s efforts in the areas of athletic development, media relations and sports information,” said Lyn Corder, vice president for advancement at Ripon College. “Her vast experience in fundraising and sports information will provide new ways to keep local, regional and national media informed about what our sports teams are doing, and former student-athletes and friends of Red Hawk athletics connected to Ripon College and the athletic department in particular.”
“I am eager to get to know the Ripon community and to talk with them about the great things our more than 400 student-athletes are doing at Ripon College,” Malizia said. “Ripon has one of the premiere athletic programs in all of Division III, and I want everyone to know about it.”
Malizia said she is looking forward to meeting with Ripon College alumni, learning about the long history of Ripon’s athletic programs and providing ways for those alumni to keep in touch with their alma mater.
While at Columbia University, Malizia served in a variety of positions. Most recently, she was charged with oversight of sports information, marketing, annual giving and alumni special events for the athletic department. In this role, she developed a strategic plan for annual fundraising and alumni relations with former student-athletes, developed several recognition societies for various sports, wrote press releases for university wide publications, designed and wrote fundraising appeals, newsletters, marketing posters and brochures.
“With Trisha here, we have someone who is really paying attention to the details of the position,” said Bob Gillespie, athletic director at Ripon College. “Her addition to the staff allows us to set goals and earmark special projects.”
In addition to her long career at Columbia University, Malizia worked at St. John’s University (NY) as the coordinator of the Champs Life Skills program. She also served as director of development and alumni relations at a private high school in Staten Island, New York and in media planning with three top advertising agencies.
Malizia earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Long Island University, C.W. Post campus; and her master’s degree in physical education with a concentration in sport management from Brooklyn College.