SAN FRANCISCO – As the department begins the 2023 calendar year, Academy of Art Director of Athletics Brad Jones has announced promotions of three staff administrators. Michael Morini assumes the role of associate athletics director of finance & operations, Jake Ward moves into the position of assistant athletics director of media relations, and Julian Billot has been elevated to assistant athletics director of operations.

"We have a terrific athletics staff who work well together to support our student-athletes and coaches in a professional manner," Jones said. "I am pleased to announce the promotions of these members of our administrative staff. We are all grateful for their hard work and the innovative ideas they bring each day to continually improve our athletic department."

Morini, who began as ART U's assistant athletics director of finance & operations in August 2019, completed his third year on staff this past summer. A former graduate student coordinator for external relations intern with Saint Mary's and guest services area manager for the Oakland Athletics, Morini will continue handling his responsibilities which include coordinating and booking team travel for all Academy of Art athletic teams, oversight of the department budget, financial transactions, and NCAA reports, as well as advising the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Morini is also the lead organizer for the department's annual ART U Golf Classic fundraiser.

"I want to thank our Director of Athletics Brad Jones; I am extremely grateful," Morini said. "I am excited to continue helping our student-athletes strive for greatness in all aspects of life."

Ward, who took over as ART U's sports information director in December 2019, is currently amid his fourth season with the department. Formerly the assistant athletics director of facilities and communications at ART U's fellow Pacific West Conference member Holy Names, Ward remains responsible for all functions involving sports information, media relations, social media, content for www.artuathletics.com, game oversight, and statistics while serving as one of two contacts for all 16 intercollegiate teams at Academy of Art. He also oversees ART U's video production as well as the department's online sports streams.

"Having the chance to serve the ART U student-athletes and share their stories has been one of the best roles I could ask for," Ward said. "I would like to thank our Director of Athletics Brad Jones for allowing me the opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to watch Academy of Art chase championships in this elevated role."

Billot, who started as the department's director of operations in September 2021, passed his first full year with the program last fall and was the lead organizer of the 2022 Pacific West Conference Cross Country Championships hosted by Academy of Art in November. Well versed in the area after having served in operations roles with the College of San Mateo and Stanford in addition to ART U, he will continue to oversee the various athletics facilities utilized by the Academy of Art sport programs for practice and game competition as well as local transportation for teams and events, gameday operations, housing, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and the department's annual ART U Golf Classic fundraiser.

"Supporting each team and their student-athletes as they excel on and off the field has been truly rewarding," Billot said. "I am excited to continue to grow with the department."