Sidwell named Penn State deputy director of athletics-external

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour has announced the appointment of Scott Sidwell as deputy director of athletics-external.

A dynamic and experienced leader and former collegiate student-athlete, Sidwell comes to Happy Valley having served as director of athletics at the University of San Francisco since June 2011.

In his role at Penn State, Sidwell will work closely with Barbour and the entire leadership team on the day-to-day operations of Penn State’s highly successful athletic program, with 31 sports and more than 800 student-athletes pursuing comprehensive excellence. Sidwell will oversee all of the department’s external units and functions.

Sidwell will direct the leadership of Penn State Athletics’ development, marketing, strategic communications, facilities operations and event management, as well as serve as the day-to-day sport administrator for Penn State football. Development of revenue generation initiatives, fan experience, strategic partnerships, multimedia rights, branding, licensing and creative also will be among his key areas of oversight.

“We are elated to have Scott joining our team,” Barbour said. “Scott brings an outstanding depth and breadth of experience to Penn State, including significant success in marketing, development and facilities initiatives. He has a high level of experience with the external functions of a comprehensive athletic department and will be a great fit for Penn State and our team. As talented and experienced a leader and administrator as he is, it is his values and work-ethic that drew us to him as the successful candidate. I’m looking forward to all of the Sidwell’s becoming a part of the Penn State family.”

“My family and I are thrilled and honored to be joining the Penn State team,” Sidwell said. “I am excited to work with Sandy and the many talented ICA colleagues that carry the #OneTeam brand so proudly. We will continue to focus on comprehensive excellence in all that we do to support and enhance the vision of preparing students for a lifetime of impact. We Are!”

At USF, Sidwell directed an athletic department with 16 programs that compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC). The Dons placed No. 105 in the final 2017-18 Learfield Directors’ standings, improving by more than 100 spots over the past five years. A demonstrated successful fundraiser, he has played a significant role in USF Athletics raising $40 million over the past seven years, including $27 million for facilities. He helped secure a $15 million gift that supports USF’s first-ever facilities master plan and will assist in renovating War Memorial Gymnasium, the home for several teams, including men’s and women’s basketball. Among the projects completed under Sidwell’s watch was the Benedetti Diamond, providing the USF baseball team with one of the premier facilities on the West Coast.

Sidwell helped USF teams and students make significant strides academically and competitively during his tenure. San Francisco student-athletes posted a school record 3.39 cumulative grade-point average during the 2017 fall semester and have an 89 percent NCAA Graduation Success Rate. The Dons’ women’s cross-country team placed second at the 2017 NCAA Championships, the women’s basketball team won its first WCC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 19 years, and the men’s basketball team has won 20-plus games the past two seasons and entered this week with an 18-6 overall mark. Sidwell was chair of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee in 2016-17.

Prior to USF, Sidwell served as associate athletic director for development (three years) and executive senior associate athletic director (nearly three years) at Syracuse University, leading all external operations and playing a large role in raising $106 million during his tenure.

Sidwell also has served in development, marketing and sales positions with Tulane University, the New Orleans Saints, and New Orleans Zephrys (Class AAA baseball; now known as the New Orleans Baby Cakes).

Originally from the New Orleans area, Sidwell earned a bachelor’s degree at Tulane University, where he was a baseball student-athlete. He began his collegiate career at Brown University, earning All-Ivy League baseball honors as a freshman. Sidwell’s professional career in intercollegiate athletics began as Tulane’s assistant baseball coach for two years.

Sidwell and his wife, Samantha, have three children: Madison (21), Beau (19) and Lily (11).