BEAUMONT, Texas - After over a year of dynamic change and unprecedented success at Lamar University, Jon Haarlow has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Athletics Department, as announced by Director of Athletics Marco Born on Wednesday.

"After the pivotal role he played in LU's great season in 2018-19, I think Jon is extremely deserving of this promotion," said Born. "He has served Cardinal Athletics well in his previous role, and after several changes in senior administration, this move concludes the re-structuring of the department into a more streamlined organization."

In his new role Haarlow assumes the day-to day responsibilities for facilitating and streamlining projects and tasks, advancing and advocating directives on behalf of the Director of Athletics. He'll assist with the coordination of all head coach and executive searches in addition to organizing training and professional development for staff. This position will also serve as a sport supervisor for selected teams and is also responsible for the Leadership Team's Administrative Assistant and other direct reports as assigned. The Sr. Associate AD for Administration also assists in the strengthening of key stakeholder relationships, contributing cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects.

Before joining LU in June of 2018, Haarlow spent the previous two years serving as ACU's manager of financial planning and budgeting, where he oversaw a $130 million operating budget, and provided financial analysis to the chief business officer on capital projects, vendor contracts and financial forecasting.
 
He also helped oversee a capital campaign that raised funds for ACU's facilities. During that time, the university was witness to more than $100 million in new construction and renovations which included Wildcat Stadium and the Halbert-Walling Research Center.
 
Haarlow moved into the financial operations office after serving in the Wildcats' athletics department. During his time as the assistant director of athletics for internal operations, Haarlow oversaw all financial responsibilities for the entire department. In addition to his work with the department's budget, Haarlow also coordinated all game operations and special events.
 
He spent three years in Albuquerque, N.M., serving as a program specialist at the University of New Mexico before making the move to Abilene. During his time at UNM, Haarlow oversaw a staff of fiscal technicians who provided support for the day-to-day business operations to the university's 22 varsity sports and the support staff. Haarlow moved to the business side after spending four years as assistant events manager for the Lobos.