AMHERST, Mass. -- Ithaca College alum Ryan Bamford '00 was named Director of Athletics at the University of Massachusetts on March 24, 2015. Bamford's career has rapidly progressed in intercollegiate athletics and it began with his educational and athletics career at IC, where he earned a bachelor's degree in sport management and was a prominent member of the men's basketball team. Bamford completed his career as the Ithaca College men's basketball program's all-time leader in 3-point field goals made and held the single-season record for 3-pointers made. He graduated as the 13th-leading scorer in program history.

"Ryan brings the right mix of devotion to the student-athlete, a winning tradition in a broad range of sports, and intimate knowledge of FBS football---just what we were looking for," said University of Massachusetts Amherst Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy. "He brings great energy to our Department of Athletics and is someone who we think can help elevate us to the next level. Those we spoke with about Ryan were all of the same mind in that they think he is one of the top young administrators in the country."

"I am humbled by the opportunity to join the UMass family as its director of athletics. I would like to thank Chancellor Subbaswamy, Vice Chancellor John Kennedy and the search committee for providing me the opportunity to serve the Commonwealth's flagship university," said Bamford. "As a New England native, I have witnessed the University's ascent to its position as one the leading public research institutions in the nation. In addition, UMass offers a world-class athletics experience. I am excited to work with a strong group of student-athletes, coaches and staff to build UMass into a nationally recognized program."

Bamford brings to UMass a pedigree of college athletics administrative experience mixed with a personal insight into the needs of student-athletes as a former basketball player at Ithaca College.

Professionally, he has quickly climbed the ladder of collegiate administration with his time at Georgia Tech being preceded by eight years at Yale, the last five years as a Senior Associate Director of Athletics.

At Georgia Tech, Bamford was promoted to Senior Associate AD in June 2013 after beginning his time with the Yellow Jackets as Associate AD in 2011. From August 2013-September 2014, Bamford oversaw internal and external operations. With Georgia Tech, he handled all operational aspects for football, baseball, and men's basketball while also overseeing sports medicine, player performance, facilities, equipment and game operations. Each of his three sport programs were highly prominent at the national level with football being a top-10 Football Bowl Subdivision team winning the 2014 Orange Bowl, a top-25 baseball program and a renowned Atlantic Coast Conference basketball program. A primary function of Bamford's was to oversee all aspects of scheduling for ACC and non-league games including coordination with media partnerships. Bamford also played a key role with the Yellow Jackets in donor relations for fundraising scholarships, endowments and capital projects.

At Yale, Bamford spent eight-plus years with the Bulldogs. As the Senior Associate AD, he was the sport supervisor for the football, men's basketball and fencing programs. He was also responsible for overseeing Yale's event management team, equipment operations, sports medicine, and strength and conditioning along with internal operations.

Nationally, the New Hampshire native has served on a number of NCAA and Ivy League committees including four years on the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Committee which he chaired in 2009 and 2010. He began his college administration career at Springfield (Mass.) College. He has also served at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), Octagon Sports Marketing, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire.

Official UMass Press Release | UMass Social Media Coverage Story

Press Conference Video | One-on-One Interview With Bamford