MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University Vice President of Advancement Seth Walker has announced the addition of Hampton Pelton '14 as the assistant director of athletic partnerships.

"We are thrilled to welcome Hampton to our team," said Walker. "His creativity and deep commitment to GCSU will help us unlock new, dynamic opportunities for sponsorship and elevate the future of Bobcat Athletics."

Pelton will play a vital role in driving revenue generation and fundraising efforts for GCSU Athletics. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Advancement and working in close collaboration with the GCSU Director of Athletics Wendell Staton, Pelton will serve as a key liaison between athletics and the university's advancement initiatives.

"We are thrilled to have Hampton leading our external efforts," said Staton. "He has deep ties to Milledgeville and our university and will be fantastic in this role.  Hampton has the awesome combination of an incredible work ethic and a dynamite personality.  His efforts will enhance our department and elevate our student-athlete experience to greater heights.  We are excited to have Hampton as part of our team and he will do great things for our University and GCSU Athletics."

The assistant director will work closely with coaches and athletics staff to assess program and department needs and developing tailored fundraising strategies, including sponsorship activities, to support their respective sports. Additionally, Pelton will partner with the GCSU Advancement, Annual Giving, and Digital Engagement teams to plan and execute annual fundraisers and athletics giving days, ensuring the department meets its fundraising goals.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic to step into this role and support the continued growth of GCSU Athletics—a program I've been passionate about for over a decade," said Pelton. "It's an incredible honor to give back to a university and athletic community that has given me so much. I look forward to contributing immediately and cannot thank President Cox, Seth Walker, and University Advancement enough for this fantastic opportunity."  

Pelton, who graduated from GCSU in 2014 with his bachelor's degree in mass communication with concentrations in public relations and advertising with a minor in marketing, brings the the Bobcats over a decade of experience spanning digital marketing, sponsorship acquisition and athletics administration. Pelton spent nearly the past two years at Reynolds Lake Oconee as its digital marketing manager where he led a marketing team of six, managing the customer journey, digital content strategy and lead acquisition program. Prior to Reynolds Lake Oconee, Pelton managed high-value advertising accounts at Adlucent, directed international procurement strategies at CNC Electrical and developed branding initiatives for Major League Rugby.

Pelton worked in the GCSU athletics department as a student in the sports information office managing athlete relations, events and online presence. He also served as an executive officer and president of both GCSU's men's soccer and rugby clubs where he successfully secured multiple sponsorships. He also serves as the Georgia State Chair for the American Powerlifting Organization.

About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.