Staff Changes Made in UB Athletic Department

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo Athletics Director Warde Manuel has announced a reorganization of the Athletics Department staff. John Lambert, the former associate athletic director for external relations, has been elevated to senior associate athletic director for development. Christina Hernandez has been promoted to associate athletic director for internal operations. In addition, Manuel has announced the hiring of Anucha Browne Sanders as senior associate athletic director for marketing and senior woman administrator.

"I am very excited about the recent changes and addition made to the administration of the Division of Athletics," Manuel said. "I feel that these promotions and hiring will help continue the department's vision and goal of developing a successful Mid-American Conference program."

Lambert makes the move to development after a very successful stint heading the External Relations Department. Lambert, who has been at UB since 1996, has had a highly decorated career in marketing, earning numerous awards, including being named the Division I-A Marketer of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators in 2001. He also was instrumental in the department's move to Division I-A in 1999 and meeting the 2006 NCAA attendance requirement.

In his new role, Lambert will be in charge of growing the private funding of the Athletic Department.

"The great success John has had in his strategic planning for ticket and corporate sales will translate well in filling our strategic philanthropic needs," Manuel said. "The relationships he has built with our alumni, our fans and throughout the Western New York community will be beneficial as we turn our attention to raising funds for facilities that will enhance our ability to develop and sustain championship caliber programs."

Hernandez, who has worked in the Athletic Department for seven years and was named assistant athletic director for business operations in 2005, has been elevated to associate athletic director for internal operations. In her new role, Hernandez will be responsible for overseeing business operations, human resources, information technology and facilities.

"Christina has shown tremendous leadership, has great analytical skills and impressive capacity to manage issues within the department," Manuel said. "She is ready and more than capable of taking on the added responsibility of overseeing internal operations."

Browne Sanders will lead the areas of ticket sales, corporate marketing, event management and game promotions, as well as serve as the senior woman administrator. In her capacity as senior associate AD she will also serve as the administrator for the women's basketball, volleyball and softball programs. Browne Sanders brings impressive credentials to Buffalo; she most recently spent six years as the senior vice president for marketing and business operations for the New York Knicks. While with the Knicks, Browne Sanders oversaw the marketing efforts of the organization, including ticket sales, advertising and design, fan development, event presentation, community relations, field marketing, alumni relations, new media and special events. In 2002, she was named one of Sports Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Sports Executives.

A 1985 graduate of Northwestern University, Browne Sanders had an outstanding career for the Wildcats' women's basketball team. She was a Kodak All-American in 1985 as well as the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year in 1984 and 1985. She was named Northwestern University's Athlete of the Decade, as well as to the Big Ten Conference All-Decade Team. She earned a master's degree in communications from Florida State University.

"I am thrilled to have a person of Anucha's experience and expertise join our staff," Manuel said. "She has headed the marketing department for one of the premiere sports franchises in the world and adding a person like her to our staff is certain to help us achieve our goal of becoming one of the finest athletic programs in the Mid-American Conference."