LEWISBURG, Pa. – Learfield Sports recently named Pennsylvania native Mike Trudnak general manager for Bucknell Sports Properties, its locally based team that works alongside Director of Athletics and Recreation John Hardt and his athletic administration. Learfield is the Bison’s exclusive multimedia rights holder.
Trudnak comes to Bucknell having most recently served 12 seasons in senior-level positions with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of MLB’s New York Yankees. He served four years as vice president of partnerships and was director of partnerships four years before that. During his initial start with the club, Trudnak was promotions/sales manager when the team was known as the Red Barons, Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
At Bucknell Sports Properties, Trudnak will lead all aspects of Learfield’s extensive rights relationship with the Bison including signage, sponsorships, corporate hospitality, event marketing, television, digital, play-by-play radio and radio coaches’ shows on the Bucknell Sports Network and integration and visibility for corporate partners on the official athletic website, www.bucknellbison.com.
Trudnak was selected as a “40 Under 40” recipient in 2011 by the Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre. He grew up in Clarks Summit and earned his sport management degree from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa.
“Mike’s poise and knowledge of this area and the region will be a tremendous advantage as we move full speed ahead in working with John and his team to grow the Bison brand,” said Spencer Christiansen, Learfield Sports’ vice president, Central Region. “His passion for the sports industry and his hometown state will provide solid leadership to Bucknell Sports Properties.”
Bucknell University is one of nearly 120 collegiate properties represented by Learfield Sports. The company’s rich history includes four decades of developing trusted, long-term relationships with some of the most revered institutions and associations in the world of college sports. Learfield has prominence in all of the major conferences and titles the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. Learfield Sports also offers its partners with professional concessions and ticket sales; licensing and trademark consulting; digital platform expertise; and venue signage and technology systems through its owned companies. To learn more about its history, businesses and job opportunities, visit www.learfieldsports.com.