Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas College Athletic Department is excited to announce the hiring of Jasper Fell in the newly-created position as the Associate Athletic Director of External Operations. Fell accepted the role a couple of weeks ago and begins his time at AQ today (Aug. 19). He will immediately begin assisting the athletics team with leadership oversight, fundraising, and external operations.

"We are excited to have Jasper as our new Associate Athletic Director," stated Dr. Ronald D. Reeves, Aquinas' Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Jasper comes with a great external background, having led sales, fundraising, and marketing efforts at past institutions. What makes Jasper stand out among others is his past experience as a coach, sports administrator, and former NAIA national-qualifying student-athlete."

Fell, a South Carolina native, comes to Aquinas from Voorhees University where he worked in alumni relations and development. At Voorhees, Fell led a program to boost alumni involvement and support, organizing events and communications that increased fundraising every year. His efforts included setting up an annual giving program with initiatives like the Alumni Hall of Fame, Giving Tuesday, faculty and staff campaigns, and more.  

Prior to Voorhees, Fell worked as the Assistant Director of Ticket Operations and Customer Relations at the University of Memphis. In this position, he managed customer relations in the ticket office and drove revenue through managing relationships with season ticket holders and donors.

AQ's newest athletic administrator has been working in athletic sales and ticketing since 2016. He has worked for several institutions including the University of Texas Permian Basin, Sam Houston State University, Lamar University, and Prairie View A&M University. Fell has been responsible for boosting sales growth and attendance at sporting events throughout the past eight years, most notably at Sam Houston when he grew men's basketball, women's basketball, and softball. He also has a significant amount of experience in administrative roles and has launched and maintained numerous sales initiatives.

"Taking on this external position in athletics is an incredible opportunity for me to merge my passion for sports with my expertise in marketing, fundraising, and fan engagement," exclaimed Fell on the opportunity to join the Aquinas team. "I am excited to build meaningful connections between the athletic department and our broader community while driving support and enthusiasm for our teams. The chance to elevate the visibility of our athletes and create experiences that resonate with fans is something I'm particularly eager about."

Fell has a substantial educational background that includes two degrees and a certification. He received his certificate in Principles and Techniques of Fundraising from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University in 2023. Fell obtained his Master of Psychology in Counseling from Alabama A&M in 2015, where he also worked as a graduate assistant for Alabama A&M's athletic department. Before heading to Alabama A&M, Fell acquired his Bachelor of Science in Health and Recreation from Voorhees University.

At Voorhees, Fell competed for and was a team captain on the men's track and field team. During his four years on the team, Fell was a four-time NAIA national qualifier and still holds the school record in both the 60-meter hurdles and the 110-meter hurdles. Fell is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.