Aug. 10, 2012

MADISON, Wis. -- Jeff Schmidt was promoted to assistant athletic director for events and operations after serving in that role on an interim basis since January 2012. Schmidt will have supervisory oversight of the UW Athletics' event management, facilities, food and beverage, and guest services departments. He will also serve in a lead role in the development and coordination of athletic department contracts.

Schmidt joined the UW Athletic Department in 2004 as a special assistant to the deputy athletic director before assuming event manager duties in 2006. More recently, Schmidt served as the department's associate director of events and operations. At various times in that role, Schmidt was responsible for the overall event management of football, men's basketball, men's hockey as well as both of Wisconsin's track and field programs.  

A former first-round draft pick of the Anaheim Angels in 1992, Schmidt spent eight seasons in professional baseball with the Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians organizations, making his major league debut with the Angels in 1996.  Schmidt also worked as an attorney at a Madison law firm before joining the UW Athletic Department.

A native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Schmidt graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in 2000 and earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 2003. He and his wife, Rebecca, have a six-year old daughter, Sydelle.