Gary Friedman

Gary Friedman is in his eighth year as Associate Athletic Director for Development, overseeing all of the Cardinals' fund-raising efforts and serving on the athletic department's senior staff.

During Friedman's first seven years, the Cardinal Athletic Fund continues to reach new levels of giving with increased financial support and number of donors. The Cardinal Athletic Fund has launched a "Soaring to 10K" campaign with a goal of reaching 10,000 members.

Current CAF support for athletic scholarships includes over 8,500 donors giving over $11 million. Over $200 million has been raised over the last seven years to support U of L athletics and construction of several new facilities, including recent completions of Jim Patterson Baseball Stadium, Trager Center indoor fieldhouse, Ralph Wright Natatorium, Yum! Center, Koetter Center and the Marshall Center/Waldman Complex.

A past president of the National Association of College Marketing Administrators (NACMA), Friedman had overseen external operations at Central Michigan from February of 1996 until joining the U of L staff in 2001.

Friedman's efforts helped increase annual fund revenues at Central Michigan by over 60 percent in three years, despite experiencing losing football and basketball seasons. Membership in the support group increased by 50 percent over that same period. He also spearheaded a facilities campaign that surpassed its original goal by $1 million.

Prior to his time at Central Michigan, Friedman worked five years at East Tennessee State, the first year as its director of marketing and promotions before advancing to assistant athletics director for external operations. There, he aided the Buccaneers in setting new revenue highs by creating new sponsorship and fund-raising programs.

Born in Chicago, Friedman earned a bachelor's degree in marketing at Illinois in 1989 and a master's in athletic administration there in 1991. He began his 20 year career in athletics administration at his alma mater, serving as an assistant in external operations at Illinois from 1988-91. Friedman and his wife Ra'Tonya -- who was crowned Mrs. Kentucky America in 2008 -- have a son, Noa'Sosa.