MOSCOW, Idaho — Jerek Wolcott has been hired as Assistant Athletic Director for Brand Engagement & Digital Strategy, it was announced today by University of Idaho Director of Athletics, Terry Gawlik.

Wolcott will be responsible for oversight and integration of strategic communications, marketing, and content creation for all of Vandal Athletics.

"We are thrilled to have Jerek join our team here at Idaho," said Gawlik. "This position attracted a number of highly qualified candidates, but Jerek's diverse experience building brands, especially in the digital space, stood out.  Jerek has a firm understanding of how to leverage our various platforms to connect with Vandal fans. He will play a vital role in telling the story of Vandal Athletics and positioning our department and teams for future growth."

Wolcott comes to the Palouse after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at the University of Northern Iowa since 2018. During that time, UNI experienced unprecedented digital growth, including an increase of 197% in departmental social media channels from 2019 to 2020, the highest growth of any non-FBS athletic department in the nation.

Prior to joining UNI's communications team, he served as Sports Information Director at Carroll College, where he was twice named the Frontier Conference Sports Information Director of the Year (2015-16 and 2017-18).  In addition to his communications duties at Carroll, he also directed the game-day marketing and promotional activities for 17 sports.  Wolcott also previously served on the communications staff at Idaho State University, and the University of Montana.
 
"We are thrilled to come home to the Northwest and join the staff at Idaho. There are so many positive things happening in Vandal Athletics right now and I am excited to help continue the momentum," said Wolcott.  "I know Vandal fans want to win. I am going to do everything I can to support our teams and student-athletes and help Idaho win championships. I am grateful for the opportunity that Terry Gawlik and Matt Martin have given me and my family and I cannot wait to work with them and learn from them."
 
Wolcott graduated from the University of Montana in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.  He is a sixth-generation Idahoan. His great grandparents and grandparents ranched in the Salmon River Canyon just north of Riggins, Idaho.
 
Wolcott will be joined in Moscow by his wife, Ashley, and their three boys Calvin (7), Holland (4), and Axton (6 months).