Eastern Kentucky University has appointed Terry Johnson as its new Senior Associate Athletics Director of Sport Sponsorship, a move officially announced by Vice President and Director of Athletics, Kyle Moats, on Monday. Johnson succeeds Sean Hamilton, who has transitioned to the EKU Office of Development and Alumni Engagement as the Executive Director for Athletics Development. Moats expressed enthusiasm about Johnson’s addition, highlighting their shared goals and Johnson’s extensive experience in athletics and regional knowledge, which are seen as key assets in advancing EKU Athletics.
Johnson brings over thirty years of experience in the sports industry to the EKU athletic staff. Before joining EKU, he founded and managed DonBar Ventures, LLC, a regional sports marketing startup that focused on business-to-business opportunities, sales representation, and business development. Prior to this, Johnson served as Director of Athletics at Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) for nine years, where he oversaw twenty-three athletics programs, managed over five hundred student-athletes and more than eighty coaches, and was responsible for all fundraising and sponsorship sales. Under his leadership, LCA athletics raised more than $2 million for capital improvements, secured 7 KHSAA state titles, 12 All “A” State Championships, and facilitated 118 student-athletes signing to play collegiate sports.
Johnson’s career also includes serving as Executive Director of the Bluegrass Sports Commission, where he played a crucial role in staging, recruiting, and growing sports events in Central Kentucky. In this position, he was instrumental in selling sponsorships and increasing participation in the Bluegrass State Games and other events. Before this, Johnson was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where he led efforts that generated more than $73 million in revenue, making the 2010 Games a significant success for the region.
Appointed by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, Johnson became the first-ever Executive Director of the Kentucky Sports Authority, where he directed state efforts to attract sporting events, including the 2008 Ryder Cup and the 2010 World Equestrian Games, to enhance tourism and economic development. Earlier in his career, Johnson spent 11 years in collegiate athletics, working with the Big East Conference, the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, and HOST Communications.
Originally from Kettering, Ohio, Johnson earned his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky. He and his wife Cindy, an EKU alumna, live in Lexington and have two grown sons, Matthew and Drew.
