Aug. 27, 2008

Desiree Reed-Francois has joined the University of Tennessee Athletics Department as Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Projects and Initiatives.

Reed-Francois will manage various units within the University of Tennessee Men's Athletics Department including event management, student-athlete welfare, strength and conditioning and the training room. In addition, she is responsible for leading the department's strategic planning initiative as well as serving as a point person for a number of other athletic projects, including developing the University of Tennessee Athletic Department Hall of Fame.

Previously, Reed-Francois worked as an associate athletic director for intercollegiate services for the University of San Francisco. While working at the University of San Francisco, she oversaw the development of facility renovation, new marketing campaigns to promote attendance, and streamlined department guidelines for the staff manual, student-athlete handbook, and event management protocol.

"Desiree's range of talents will really be an asset to our team. Her experience in project development will help the athletic department move forward with some new initiatives." said Mike Hamilton, men's athletic director.

Previously, Reed-Francois worked as an attorney in California and taught sports law at Santa Clara University. She also served as associate athletic director at both Fresno State and Santa Clara University, where she oversaw compliance and student-athlete services.

Reed-Francois is a graduate of the University of Arizona's Rogers College of Law and the University of California-Los Angeles. While in law school, she worked for the National Football League Management Council and the Oakland Raiders.

"We are lucky to have found someone like Desiree with such a depth of knowledge and experience," Hamilton said. "Her passion for collegiate sports and her ability to manage diverse projects will help us to achieve new goals in the coming years."