Campus colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. JAy Blackman as Vice Chancellor of Communications and Marketing, effective Oct. 1.

Dr. Blackman, who has served as the University’s deputy athletics director for internal operations since April 2021, brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the UTC community to his new role—having worked for this institution since 2008.

JAy currently oversees the athletics department’s communications and digital media services efforts and is the communications liaison between campus and the athletics department. His many roles include oversight of the football and wrestling programs, McKenzie Arena, creative services, social media, business affairs, strength and conditioning, branding, equipment and facilities—as well as serving as tournament director of the Southern Scuffle wrestling tournament. In addition, he has been the athletics department liaison on the Wolford Family Athletic Center project.

In his new role, he will oversee all facets of the University’s communications, creative and marketing teams.

JAy’s experience, knowledge of UTC, and all that he has been able to accomplish in intercollegiate athletics provides a strong foundation for leading our communications and marketing group at the campus level. He has the educational background and the hands-on experience that’s required to be a successful vice chancellor.

His UTC career began in December 2008 as the athletics department’s director of communications and media relations, with promotions to assistant athletics director in 2010 and associate athletics director in 2012. He has overseen communications and digital media services, budget and finance, and various athletic programs—contributing significantly to the University’s visibility and engagement strategies.

His leadership has been instrumental in implementing the Southern Conference’s agreement with ESPN+ to produce home events in all sports, enhancing UTC’s presence on national platforms. He has also solidified the communications and digital media units as critical members of the Mocs’ athletics department, leading to record attendance at home events and multiple awards—including over 20 National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators “Best of” Awards and 16 national and regional honors for publications, design and writing.

JAy earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of North Carolina; a master’s degree in sport management from Appalachian State University in North Carolina; an MBA from the University of New Mexico; and a Ph.D. in sport administration from the University of New Mexico. He is a 2023 graduate of the University of Tennessee Leadership Institute and was part of the inaugural cohort of the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Fellows program.

I have great trust in him. I have seen JAy operating under pressure and have confidence he will do an outstanding job. He cares about the University and our programs, and he has been a vital member of the Intercollegiate Athletics Leadership Team for a number of years. He knows what it means to be a Moc, and I look forward to working with him.

I want to thank the search committee, led by Provost Jerold Hale, and all of the campus community members who participated in the interview process. The search process was inclusive and transparent and helped us successfully land the right candidate for this critical role.

Additionally, I want to recognize and thank Vice Chancellor Vicki Farnsworth, who—for the second consecutive year—took on the added responsibility of overseeing the day-to-day operations of communications and marketing.

Please join me in congratulating JAy as he moves into his new position.