COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson, in conjunction with the department's executive leadership, announced the implementation of the Maryland 21st Century Athletic Department Matrix. The matrix, developed to encourage collaboration between departments, was presented to Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) in a staff-wide meeting earlier in March.   

The matrix will serve as a catalyst for innovation and empowerment of athletics staff and further Maryland's winning culture as an athletics department.

"At the core of everything we do is our collective responsibility as a department to first and foremost facilitate student athlete development at the University of Maryland.” said Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson. “It was imperative to develop a culture that is both relational in nature and missional in function. It's our duty to create a responsive work environment to meet today's high performance needs for Division I Athletics. The goal of our leadership team is to empower employees to generate and execute ideas that will continue to further the Maryland Way.”

A sub-committee of representatives from a myriad of departments, led by Associate Athletic Director and Director of Sports Performance Dr. David Klossner, was the driving force behind the model.

The passion and determination for championship success has been evident since Maryland's transition to the Big Ten Conference in 2014, as the Terps are currently tied for first for most regular season and tournament team championships won (12) since joining the conference.       

To meet the challenges of the ever-changing landscape of Division I college athletics, Anderson and his support staff developed the matrix to reposition the department for continued growth and success.

The circular, four-quadrant organizational design reflects the main branches of the organization: Revenue Enhancement, Academics & Student Development, Program Support & Integrity and Internal Operations. The circular structure – unlike a hierarchy pyramid – represents a collaborative department promoting communication and free flow of information between the various units, placing an emphasis on all areas being equal and working toward the same common goal resting at the center of the structure: the student-athlete experience.

Designed with the department's five-year strategic plan in mind – The Maryland Way, which encompasses the six pillars of Academic Excellence & Leadership Development; Competitive Excellence; Financial Stability; Image & Branding; Program Integrity; and Tradition & Pride – the student athlete experience remains the focal point of the Maryland “WHY” – the quest for excellence and drive to be the best.  

The outer three rings of the matrix's organizational structure feature the department's executive leadership, headed by Maryland's aforementioned athletic director since September 2010, Kevin Anderson.

Defined leadership roles were allocated to each quadrant to oversee the execution of staff goals. This was to emphasize a relational culture between departments and continue to promote a unified staff.  

Below are the changes that will go into effect immediately.

• Damon Evans has been named Executive Athletic Director, leading the day-to-day operations of the department and will have direct oversight in Anderson's absence.
• Kelly Mehrtens, Deputy Athletic Director, will be assuming Chief of Staff responsibilities. In that role, she will be involved with various key strategic initiatives for the department, serving as a valuable advisor to Anderson and an important liaison to campus constituents.
• Lori Ebihara, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Governance & Senior Woman Administrator will serve as primary governance liaison to the NCAA, Big Ten, and University councils.  She will also continue to play a lead role in strategic planning and policy and will serve as the chief diversity and equity officer.
• Marcus Wilson has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Administrative Officer and will oversee the Program Support & Integrity sector of the department. Wilson will manage the compliance, sports administration, sports performance, health & wellness and equipment staffs. Wilson came to Maryland in 2013, after spending five years at the NCAA National Office.
• Colleen Sorem has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations. In that role, Sorem will oversee the Internal Operations of the department, including business operations, facilities operations & events, information technology and human resources. Sorem joined the Maryland team in 2014 and previously oversaw all business operations for the department.  
• Carrie Blankenship has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, overseeing sponsorship and multimedia rights, broadcasting and production, ticket sales and operations, digital media and marketing. Blankenship has been with the Terrapins since 2006, and most recently led the department's marketing operations.
• Joe Foley continues his role as Deputy Athletic Director for Development, overseeing campus & alumni relations in addition to fundraising efforts.
• Zack Bolno, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications & Media Relations, also continues his role as the department head of strategic communications. The trio of Blankenship, Bolno and Foley will work in collaboration, leading the revenue enhancement efforts of the department, focused on further developing the University's athletics brand.
• Dr. Sue Sherburne has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Academics & Student Development.  Her duties will include overseeing the academic success of student athletes, community engagement, student-athlete advisory council, tradition & pride and career development. One of Sherburne's current projects includes the genesis of the department's “Brand U” program, aimed at helping students build a foundation for successful life after participation in Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Maryland 21st Century Athletic Department Matrix reflects these changes and will serve as a guide for Maryland Athletics moving forward.

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