Aug. 24, 2007

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Phil Hess has been named Director of Athletic Communications at Stony Brook University, Director of Athletics Jim Fiore has announced. Hess will act as the primary contact for several sports including football and men's basketball while also managing the day-to-day operations of the office and overseeing 3 full time staff members. In addition to his duties as Director of Athletic Communications, Hess will also serve as producer of the Stony Brook Sports Report which broadcasts 30 episodes locally on Cablevision and nationally on CSTV. While also serving as Stony Brook's contact with the New York metropolitan and Long Island media markets, Hess will also work with the Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) to implement Stony Brook's television contract.

"We are pleased to welcome Phil Hess to Stony Brook University as the Director of Athletic Communications." Fiore said. "Phil's experience and knowledge in this field are perfect complements to the aggressive multimedia initiatives which we are supporting within our Athletics Department. We look forward to continuing our progress with Phil as our Director."

Hess comes to Stony Brook from his native Michigan where he served as Sports Information Director at Oakland University for the past five years. At Oakland, Hess served as the primary contact for men's basketball, volleyball, softball, golf and tennis. Hess served as the Media Coordinator for the first and second round of the Auburn Hills site of the 2006 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and media liaison for the 2004 Ryder Cup. Prior to Oakland, Hess served in the same capacity at East Tennessee State University where he also served as the primary contact for football, men's basketball and baseball.

Prior to ETSU, Hess served as an Associate Sports Information Director at West Virginia University from November 1998 to November 1999 and at the College of William & Mary from November 1999 to October 2001. During his time at both schools, Hess served as the primary contact for men's basketball as well as working with the NCAA women's basketball East Regional and Volleyball Final Four at West Virginia. Hess has also spent time as an assistant sports information director at Utah State and VMI serving as the primary contacts for both schools' Olympic sports.

Hess earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in Sport Management from the University of Richmond. While at Richmond, Hess was a staff assistant in the Sports Information Office.