SVP & Chief Digital Officer at Syracuse University Professor at the iSchool at Syracuse University.
28 years ago, I started a company that became SIDEARM Sports. Since then, I have had hundreds of incredible, intelligent, caring employees. I cannot believe we went from having a single college athletic client to having over 1,600 across the United States and Canada. We captured over 95% of the NCAA DI market and over 90% of all NCAA programs. Most importantly, I served thousands of dedicated sports professionals who trusted me, our employees, and our product. Ten years ago, SIDEARM Sports was acquired by LEARFIELD, and many colleagues told me that LEARFIELD would keep me around for six months and then kick me to the curb. That did not happen. I remained president of SIDEARM and, more recently, was trusted to serve as EVP of digital for LEARFIELD. Overall, I have 28 years of incredible memories with incredible people. There was not a single day that I did not look forward to going to the office. Not one! I absolutely love the people, the company, and the industry. So why did I choose to leave? The only place I have been longer than SIDEARM is Syracuse University. I started there as a freshman in 1991, continued through a master’s program, and started teaching in 1996. Syracuse University has given me so much, and when I was given the opportunity to serve as the university's first SVP and Chief Digital Officer, I could not find a reason to say no. Taking on new challenges with a new set of incredible people is invigorating. Helping shape the digital future for my alma mater is humbling; getting a second chance to do something I am passionate about for a place I care so much about, well, that is lucky. I have been in this new role for the past month, and there has not been a day I haven’t been excited to go to the office. That does not mean I do not miss my SIDEARM/LEARFIELD crew or my friends in college athletics, as I deeply miss those interactions. However, the relationships I formed are stronger than a place of employment. I look forward to staying connected and watching everyone grow and succeed in the changing world of college athletics. I don’t know the word limit for a LinkedIn post, but I believe I would run out of room if I tried to thank everyone by name. Whether I learned from you, or you learned from me, whether we shared a vision or disagreed on the future, whether we had one interaction or a thousand, I thank you for making the past 28 years memorable. Jeff https://lnkd.in/g9FKYpdy
Kerry Atkinson
1mo
Over the course of a career, you meet thousands of folks from a variety of industries. You also learn what separates successful entrepreneurs and leaders from the masses. I was fortunate to cross paths with you Jeff and wish you as much happiness in your new role as you had in your last one. Sidearm was successful because of your unique ability to lead people to a common goal and the industry leader because client #1 was treated as professionally and expertly as client #1,600. All the best for continued success.
Grant Lieberman
1mo
Congrats to the best! Well deserved professor! Happy for you. I’ll never forget my first day at Syracuse University and sitting in your class. Left a lasting impression on me forever and my career. What a legend. Thank you!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🍊🍊🍊🍊
One of the highlights of my time at Syracuse was working the press box with Jeff Rubin to stream SU Football radio broadcasts in 2004, when streaming media was in its infancy. Jeff you've been the heartbeat of the iSchool for longer than I can remember and at the forefront of the most exciting and innovative changes in digital technology, inside and outside of college sports. Thank you for being an outstanding teacher and leader and sincerest congratulations on your continued success
James Achuil
1mo
Congratulations 🎈🎊🎉 Jeff, go orange 🍊
Keisuke Inoue
1mo
It's so hard to imagine you leaving SIDEARM/LEARFIELD but now it makes sense -- fantastic story!!! Congratulations on the amazing path so far and best of luck for the new journey!
Dominick N.
1mo
Congratulations Jeff!
Alland Leandre
1mo
Congrats Jeff.
Steve Zimba
1mo
Jeff, congrats on the new role with Syracuse. I know the University is going to benefit significantly from your expertise. As well, congrats on all the success with Sidearm. I am always amazed to see the name on every college sports site I visit. I hope to stay in touch and perhaps see you when I get back to campus this fall. In the meantime, I wish you all the best. GO ORANGE!
Joshua Fox
1mo
Congratulations! Great Job Jeff.
Senior System Analyst at Elevance Health
1moCongrats! When I first started studying at Syracuse, I wasn't sure what I wanted to get into, it wasn't until I took your IST 195 course that I knew I had to join the iSchool and I wanted to learn as much as I could from you. I am eternally grateful and fortunate for not only the classes I took under you but also for being hired by you to be a part of SIDEARM Sports. You gave me my first job in the Technology field and I truly owe my career trajectory to you. Excited for you and your new adventure and SU is lucky to have you! Good luck!