MORAGA, Calif. – The Saint Mary's College athletic department has named Richard Kilwien to the position of assistant athletic director for communications, director of athletics Mark Orr announced today.
Kilwien will be responsible for implementing a diverse communications program for SMC's 14 intercollegiate sports. He will supervise a staff that coordinates communications, media and public relations efforts for the department and, specifically, will have direct involvement in publicity for the nationally recognized men's basketball program. His responsibilities will also include oversight of the official athletic department website (www.SMCGaels.com), the department's social media initiatives and various radio and television agreements.
Having more than 23 years of experience in college athletics, Kilwien previously served the last four years as associate athletic director for communications at the University of Washington. While at the UW, he coordinated all Husky public relations efforts and served as the primary liaison to the department's various multi-media rights holders. Kilwien oversaw the expansion of the department's online exposure, which included the launch of a comprehensive social media initiative and increased audio/video content.
Prior to Washington, Kilwien spent six years at Santa Clara University and spearheaded the formation of the athletic department's external services area to tie all media relations and marketing functions into one unit and reorganized all corporate sales efforts. In March of 2002, he served as the tournament manager for the NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional.
A 1988 Texas Tech University graduate, Kilwien has also served in media relations capacities at his alma mater, the now-defunct Southwest Conference, Duke University and the University of Houston. He also spent time working in the Internet and television industries for the FANSonly Network (now CBS Interactive) and Raycom Sports.
Kilwien married the former Karen Yee, a standout college basketball player at Houston, in December of 1990. The couple has a son, Preston.
