Cedar Falls, Iowa — UNI Athletics and its multimedia rights holder, LEARFIELD's Panther Sports Properties, announced the hiring of Seb Gearhart as its new business development manager.
In his role, Mr. Gearhart will focus on developing and selling creative sponsorship packages, highlighting UNI Athletics' investments and working with local, regional and national businesses and brands to help maintain partnerships with corporate partners and department staff. Responsible for building relationships.
“We are excited to see Seb leverage his App State experience and UNI education to help grow Panther Sports Properties,” said Mike, general manager of Panther Sports Properties. Murray said. “We are so proud to welcome him home!”
Gearhart, a Cedar Falls native, is a 2022 UNI graduate who returns to his alma mater after serving for two years as the Partnership Services Coordinator for the Appalachian State University LEARFIELD team in Boone, North Carolina. In that role, he served as a liaison between Appalachian State's corporate partners, real estate staff, and athletic department staff, managing and tracking all partnership advertising inventory.
“I'm excited to return home and join the Panther Sports Properties team in Northern Iowa,” Gearhart said. “UNI has contributed to my personal and professional development, shaping me as a student, athlete, and individual. Now, I am looking to leverage these experiences and realize the benefits that a partnership with UNI Athletics can provide.” I'm excited to be able to introduce new value to companies. It's a great opportunity to contribute to the growth of both the university and our partner companies.”
Gearhart earned two bachelor's degrees in marketing and business administration with minors in sports management and entrepreneurship at UNI while interning at Panther Sports Properties. He was also a member of UNI's track and field team during his undergraduate years, helping the Panthers win the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Indoor 4×400 Meter Relay with a pair selected to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team. . He currently resides in Cedar Falls with his wife Olivia.
