The University athletics department added a new member to its team Wednesday when it announced the appointment of a new associate director for external relations.

Tom Wistrcill, who starts his job with the University on May 15, will be responsible for overseeing several areas, including marketing and ticket sales, trade marking and external communications.

“The job is to further enhance what is already in place and to help take the department to new and better things,” he said.

Athletics Director Joel Maturi said the position has been vacant for 15 months.

“He brings a passion for the Gophers. He’s a Minnesotan; he’s worked in the department before. He has a great knowledge and experience about several of the areas he will oversee,” Maturi said.

Wistrcill’s first job related to college athletics was with the University as an assistant in the athletics compliance office from 1993 to 1994.

“I was kind of a ‘go-fer.’ I did a little bit of everything. It helped me because it showed me two things: I wanted to work in college athletics, and I wanted to come back to Minnesota,” he said.

Since 2003 Wistrcill has been general manager for Badgers Sports Property, a private business contracted by the University of Wisconsin at Madison to handle sales and marketing ventures for its athletics department.

Ken Simmons, a co-worker at Badgers Sports Property, said Wistrcill is a sports fanatic.

“Quite honestly, I’m surprised he’s not divorced – he’s been to so many sporting events. He played basketball at Winona State University and I think that’s his favorite,” Simmons said.

Moving back to Minnesota is like coming home, Wistrcill said.

“(The University) is where I started and the place I’ve always wanted to end up. I believe there is just tremendous potential and opportunity there to build something great.”