KOAM sports director takes job at Pittsburg State University

Jacob Lenard, sports director at KOAM for the past seven years, is the new associate athletic director for fan engagement at Pittsburg State University. The job will start in June, according to a news release from the university.

Lenard announced his impending departure to his Twitter followers Monday:

I knew the day would come eventually, but it's still much harder than I expected.

I'm going to be leaving KOAM in June to take an opportunity outside of television.

It really is a family decision for me. I've missed a lot of time with my son in the last seven years. He's starting to get into sports and activities and I want to be able to be there for him. I get one shot to be a dad. I don't want to blow it.

I love being the sports guy at KOAM. I appreciate all the love you guys have shown me since I took this job nearly eight years ago.

I hope you know how much I've enjoyed it and how much I love being around all the coaches, players and fans we have here. It's a special place for local sports.

I look forward to seeing you out there and thanking you in person over the next few months.

PSU Athletics described Lenard's new position in a news release Monday:

In this role at Pitt State, Lenard will coordinate and manage all aspects of overall athletics program promotion and outreach through digital media, broadcasting, and other components of the game day experience for fans. 

Lenard also will serve as oversight administrator for the MIAA Digital Network. Jacob will manage and oversee all promotional aspects of football and basketball game day activities by serving as the "game producer" for video production, public address, and other promotional activities, while also developing and administering marketing and promotional plans for all sports and sports seasons, including season ticket campaigns and other promotional initiatives.

Lenard will serve as the primary liaison to Pittsburg State's third-party corporate sponsor sales group (Peak Sports Management), working with Gorilla Sports Properties General Manager Marissa Poppe on activation of all corporate agreements and inventory. He will also work with third-party constituents on the program's overall social media presence and strategy and all additional digital content for various media platforms.

"We are excited for this opportunity for Jacob to return to his alma mater and utilize his many talents to help our staff better promote Pitt State programs and, more specifically, Gorilla student-athletes," Johnson said. 

"Jacob is certainly an individual all of Gorilla Nation is intimately familiar with through his coverage of Four States sports; and we're looking forward to him becoming a key member of our staff this summer as we move forward to the 2023-24 year."

A December 2012 graduate of Pittsburg State University with a bachelor of science degree in communication, Lenard joined regional television affiliate KOAM TV first as a multimedia news journalist in January 2013. He became a sports reporter for the station in June 2014, before elevating to the role of Sports Director in June 2015. The Yates Center, Kan., native has received multiple broadcasting awards, including the 2020 Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association (KWCA) Media of the Year Award.