Mike Samuels

Mike came to Basketball Nation in 2015 after a long and successful career serving as a senior level administrator within college athletics. Mike began his career at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, where he became the Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs, overseeing all of the department’s external operations. Mike helped reinvent the Gael brand in numerous ways, including oversight of the design and implementation of the athletic logo which was created in 2009. More notably, Mike helped Saint Mary’s stay competitive by significantly increasing the department’s annual revenue streams by revamping their ticketing and sponsorship programs. After 10 years at Saint Mary’s College, Mike accepted a position at the University of Nevada as the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations, overseeing the department’s ticket operations and sales, multi-media rights, marketing and promotions, branding and more.

While at the University of Nevada, Mike was credited with creating the University’s first true outbound ticket sales team, creating a six-person sales unit, dedicated to outbound sales. This effort significantly increased sales and revenue for the department while also leading to a greatly enhanced level of customer service and an increase in annual giving. Mike was also responsible for creating both the financial model and sales plan that led to the approval of the 12 million dollar renovation to Nevada’s football stadium (Mackay Stadium), the first major upgrade to the stadium since the mid 90’s,

Mike attended San Diego State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business, Marketing. Prior to attending SDSU, Mike was born and raised in Walnut Creek (just minutes from the Ultimate Fieldhouse) and attended Northgate High School where he was a member of the 1995 State Championship team and the 1996 State Runners Up (Nor Cal Champions).