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Bahnsen Named Associate A.D. of Internal Relations

by LSUsports.net (@LSUsports)
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Bahnsen Named Associate A.D. of Internal Relations

BATON ROUGE — Bo Bahnsen, LSU’s associate athletics director for student services, has been named the new associate athletics director for internal relations.

In his new capacity, Bahnsen will take on oversight of all ticket office and customer service operations, and will coordinate the transition of the management of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to the athletics department beginning next year.

“With the introduction of our new Preferred Seating Program, this position will be of immense importance as we enter a new era of customer relations in LSU Athletics,” said athletics director Skip Bertman. “When we looked around for someone with the organizational skills, credibility and honesty to successfully implement this plan, Bo Bahnsen was the natural choice.”

Bahnsen’s primary responsibility for the last 14 years was to serve as LSU’s NCAA compliance officer. Bertman said a national search has begun for Bahnsen’s replacement in the compliance office.

“The compliance operation of an athletics program is one of the most critical facets of any athletics program, so it is important for us to maintain the level of efficiency that Bo has created in his 14 years in that position,” Bertman said. “Bo will play an important role in determining the future of the compliance program, serving in an advisory role in the search for his replacement.”

A 1982 graduate of LSU, Bahnsen served as administrative assistant for the men’s basketball team for five years before moving into athletics administration as director of purchasing for two years. In 1989, he was assigned his primary responsibility as NCAA compliance officer as assistant athletics director, then was promoted to associate AD in 1996.

Bahnsen will be responsible for overseeing the successful implementation of LSU’s Preferred Seating Program that was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in August. The program will require contributions for the right to purchase approximately 45,000 seats in Tiger Stadium beginning with the 2004 football season.

“I’m excited about this new opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Bahnsen said. “The last 14 years working in student services and NCAA compliance have been the most rewarding of my life, and this move gives me the opportunity to have an impact on another important part of LSU Athletics.

Beginning in July of 2004, the management of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center will shift from the University to the athletics department. Bahnsen will be involved in coordinating the transition and integration of management of the arena.

“Bo’s experience with the university community makes him the perfect resource in developing a transition plan,” Bertman said.