ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Learfield Sports recently named Kyle James general manager for its Lobo Sports Properties entity, the athletics multimedia rights holder for the University of New Mexico. Concurrently, Joe Weiss assumes the role of associate general manager, Jake Hobrock is promoted to account executive, and Jared Schmit named to sales coordinator.

James, a native of Grants, N.M. comes to Albuquerque from serving nearly one year as associate general manager for Learfield Sports’ Red Raider Sports Properties in Lubbock, representing Texas Tech Athletics. Prior to that, he was regional sales director for KP Sports and Entertainment in Ogden, Utah in which he oversaw corporate partnerships and sponsorships for Weber State Sports Properties, Southern Utah Sports Properties and the Big Sky Conference. His Albuquerque ties include serving as former sports and wellness director for Laguna Development Corporation, where he collaborated with UNM and NMSU on various programming, and serving as former director of basketball operations for men’s basketball at New Mexico State University, his alma mater. In 2012, he was honored as NMSU’s Distinguished Alumni, the youngest ever to receive the award in school history.

“Kyle is excited to return to Albuquerque and knows this market and state well,” said Learfield Sports’ Vice President David Hubbard. “Joe has such deep connections here as a valued member of our property the last four years, and before that, serving 10 years inside the athletics administration. We know he is well poised to transition into this role focused solely on sales and revenue generation for UNM Athletics and look forward to those possibilities.”

Hobrock moves into the account executive role, having served as Lobo Sports Properties’ sales and marketing coordinator for nearly two years. He previously interned for Learfield Sports’ Cowboy Sports Properties in Stillwater, Okla. supporting Oklahoma State Athletics. Schmit is a former sponsorship coordinator for Learfield Sports’ Bobcat Sports Properties’ entity representing his alma mater, Montana State University.

In addition to UNM, Learfield Sports manages multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations and titles the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. The company’s exclusive sports programming reaches more than 56 million television households nationally and delivers nearly 17,000 hours of radio programming. For more information, visit learfieldsports.com.