MOREHEAD, Ky. – Sara Hacker, a Morehead State alum who has extensive experience in revenue generation and grassroots marketing, planning and execution, has returned to her alma mater as the assistant athletic director for external affairs.
 
A member of the Morehead State softball team for four seasons and a team captain in 2003 and 2004, Hacker graduated with her bachelor's degree in advertising and public relations in 2004 and earned her master's degree in sport management from MSU in 2006.

"I am extremely proud to be back at my Alma Mater. To be able to represent the Eagles again in a different capacity is very exciting," she said. "Each opportunity in my career has been a stair step to prepare me to come home to my Eagle family. I am very anxious to be back in the region and create energy for the Blue and Gold.  Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle."
 
After serving as a marketing and promotions coordinator at Morehead State, Hacker began her career at East Tennessee State where she served as the director of marketing, promotions and event management from 2007-11. She was an integral part of the ETSU NCAA grant team which earned a $45,000 grant in 2008-09 and was increased to $55,000 in 2009-10. She planned and implemented on-campus and off-campus events as well as fulfilled the role of game producer and event personality.
 
Hacker was promoted to the assistant athletic director for corporate development at ETSU from 2011-14. Prior to the return of scholarship football at ETSU, Hacker negotiated and maintained more than $500,000 worth of corporate partnerships. Hacker was instrumental in increasing revenue by more than five percent each year with the 55+ partners. She also managed the entire game-day promotions and fan atmosphere team and served as the sport administrator for softball and the cheer and dance programs. She was also an adjunct professor at ETSU for several years in the physical education and university studies departments.
 
From 2014-17, Hacker then took a national role as vice president of development for Dugout Media, Inc. Her main focus being Baseball Youth and Softball Youth, she implemented creative sales tactics for teams and individual youth baseball events all over the country. She was the main contact and supervisor for all customer service and tournament logistics for all national events. 
 
Outside of the sporting arena, Hacker has served as the director of business development and marketing for Trigg Enterprises, dba Bojangles' Restaurants. She helped generate revenue through community events, fundraising and catering. In her first year in the role, Hacker generated more than $100,000 in sales. She also carries experience in broadcast and digital marketing sales.  Most recently she comes from the News Channel 11 (WJHL-ABC) Tri-Cities, Nexstar Media Group team in Johnson City.
 
Hacker was the recipient of a "40 under 40" award from the Tri-Cities (Tenn.) Business Journal in 2011 and earned a "Make a Difference That Matters" recognition from the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce in 2012.  During her time at ETSU, Hacker was a recipient of many NACMA and NCAA awards for marketing and promotions efforts for game day experience.

In addition to her full-time roles, Hacker's contagious personality has opened doors for her to be primary event host for numerous philanthropic functions and community events, including serving as the primary event personality for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life as well as the Bristol Motor Speedway's Children's Charities and other national events.

A native of Florence, Ky., Hacker has two brothers who are Morehead State baseball alums. Scott played from 1992-96 and was a member of the 1993 OVC Championship team. Joey suited up for MSU from 1995-97.