Allegheny College Athletics

MEADVILLE, Pa. – On Monday, Allegheny College named James Kramer its new Director of Athletic Communications and Sports Marketing as announced by Director of Athletics Betsy Mitchell. In his role with the college, Kramer will be expected to lead all matters related to print, web, radio, and television for the Gators’ intercollegiate program while serving as the lead for the department’s internal and external marketing initiatives.

Kramer brings a wealth of experience and skill into his position at Allegheny, most recently as the Senior Marketing Manager for Searchworld, a publicly-traded global internet firm based out of Australia. Prior to his brief tenure in the private sector, he served for seven years as the Director of Communications and Sports Information at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Capitalizing on Kramer’s vision and guidance, MIT completely revamped its communications efforts and strengthened the Institute’s profile as a university capable of providing an outstanding athletic experience as well as an unparalleled education. In addition to developing general marketing strategies aimed at increasing MIT’s brand influence, he overhauled the development and distribution of all of the department’s print and web collateral, and chaired a committee in development of the Institute’s first athletic brand. During his tenure with the Engineers, Kramer successfully campaigned for 44 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America’s, including two Academic All-America of the Year recipients. MIT boasted 214 All-Americans and 11 national champions over the same period, while Kramer’s publicity efforts also resulted in seven NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners and three NCAA Woman of the Year finalists. In 2009, Kramer helped basketball standout Jimmy Bartolotta en route to the coveted Jostens Trophy in addition to accolades as NABC and D3Hoops National Player of the Year.

As a member of the DAPER (Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation) senior staff, Kramer played an integral role in shaping MIT’s strategic plan, budget management and resource allocation, while serving as the designated spokesperson for the nation’s largest athletic program with 41 varsity teams.

“We are so fortunate to welcome James and his wife Eva to the Allegheny team,” said Mitchell. “A dynamic writer, marketer, sports enthusiast and educator, James brings an unprecedented degree of experience and leadership to our athletic communication office. James is a professional of the highest quality and will bring continuity to a critical area of our operation.”

Kramer made the trek to MIT from the United States Military Academy, where he served in the media relations office for the Black Knights. Kramer was the primary media relations contact for the volleyball, track and field, cross country, and wrestling programs, in addition to duties as the visiting postgame press coordinator for Army football and Media Relations Director for the Collegiate Sprint Football League. Prior to West Point, he was the Assistant Director of Sports Information for the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point.

In 2001, Kramer served as Assistant Director of Media Relations for the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships. He was also a media relations assistant at the 2002 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, as well as the 2003 and 2007 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional.

Kramer graduated in 2000 from Marshall University with a degree in sports marketing and management. He was a three-year captain for the Thundering Herd’s cross country program and served as a student assistant in the University’s media relations office where he contributed in two Heisman Trophy campaigns.

James and his wife, Eva, reside in Meadville.