The University of Akron Athletics
George Van Horne
| Title: | Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development & Marketing |
| Phone: | (330) 972-8255 |
| Email: | ghvanhorne@uakron.edu |
George Van Horne was appointed Associate Athletics Director for Development in June 2010, after serving Director of Development for Major Gifts at his alma mater The University of Akron. In October 2014, he was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development and Marketing.
In his role Van Horne oversees the Athletics Development Office which includes the Z-Fund, Varsity "A" Association, and special events. Additionally, he is a sports administrator for the men's and women's golf programs. He also serves on the senior management team for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Under his leadership, Athletics Development has increased the number of members in the Z-Fund from 873 in 2009 to 3,091 at the end of the 2014 fiscal year, a 254% increase in membership. Athletics giving has increased by 65% and dollars raised by 72%.
Van Horne, who has raised more than $36 million for The University of Akron since 2001, boasts a resume of more than 13 years of fundraising experience - all at the University. Van Horne has served as the Director of Development for Athletics (2001-04), Director of Development for the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (2004-2007), and Director of Development for Major Gifts (2007-2010).
Van Horne played an integral role in the University's "Aspire. Attain. Advance." Capital Campaign, which reached its goal one year ahead of schedule and $106.5 million above the initial $500 million campaign target.
In his career, Van Horne has secured transformational gifts for the University and the programs the gifts support. In 2007, he brought in the $4.64 million Louis and Freda Stile gift to name the Athletics Field House, the largest gift from an individual in Zips Athletics history. Later that same year, he raised $2.1 million for The Margaret Clark Morgan Endowed Directorship for The Archives of the History of American Psychology.
The former Zips' southpaw began his professional career as a graduate assistant in the University's Department of Athletics in 1999. After nine months, Van Horne was named Interim Assistant Athletics Director/Compliance Coordinator and eventually became the Compliance Coordinator and Events Manager.
In 2001, he moved to athletics development and quickly earned the respect of colleagues and donors while raising funds to support the new Athletics Field House, Indoor Golf Facility, Shrank Practice Field and restructured the Men's Basketball Seat License program, which generated an additional $156,000 over the previous year.
When his is not raising money for The University of Akron, Van Horne spends his time volunteering in the Akron community. His service includes working with Northwest Avenue Church's youth group and with The Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone where he serves as part of the Volunteer Leadership team for the tournament as Executive Vice Chairman for Corporate Hospitality. In 2006, Van Horne was recognized by Crain's Cleveland Business, as one of the "40 Under 40" for Northeast Ohio because of his work at the University, CollegeScholars, Inc. and TorchBearers a young profesionals group charged with keeping aspiring young professionals in the Akron community.
Van Horne was a southpaw pitcher on the Zips' baseball team from 1994-97. He was a member of the 1996 MAC Championship and NCAA Tournament team. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science from The University of Akron.
Van Horne and his wife, Beth, reside in Tallmadge with their children Lillian and George V.
