MOSCOW, IDAHO – Idaho Athletics has rounded out its communications staff with the hiring of Austin Christensen as Director of Athletic Communications, and Colton Keintz as Associate Director of Athletic Communications, Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik, and Assistant Athletic Director for Brand Engagement and Digital Strategy Jerek Wolcott announced earlier this week.

Christensen joins the Vandals following a successful stint at Clemson University where he served as Associate Director of Athletic Communications. In Clemson, Christensen worked specifically with the Women's Basketball team and other teams as assigned.

Working for the Tigers, Christensen served as a catalyst for Tiger social media, helping to launch it as the sixth fastest-growing Instagram account in the nation. During his year-and-a-half stay in upstate South Carolina, he helped garner tens of millions of impressions and engagements that aided the account during a stretch of unprecedented growth.

Before his time with the Tigers, Christensen, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, spent four years with Weber State athletics, working in communications, social media, and content creation for all six ticketed Wildcat sports. While in Ogden, Wildcat football social media ranked as high as second in the country for most interactions, while the softball and volleyball social media followings grew by over 60%.

Christensen got his start in the sports industry by working with TV and radio broadcasts for the Utah Jazz and other NBA teams for two seasons. He was named executive producer for Utah Jazz radio broadcasts on the Jazz's flagship station and helped provide stats and facts to broadcasters during games.

He will be responsible for the communications efforts for Vandal football, women's basketball, and other sports as necessary.

A United States Air Force veteran, Christensen fluently speaks four languages. He resides in the Palouse with his dog.

Jerek Wolcott on the hire

We have worked hard over the last four years to improve the Vandal brand and engage our fans in a way that hasn't been done here before. Austin's experience and leadership will help us take another big step forward. He has a great knowledge of the Big Sky, and his experience at the P4 level and in the NBA will be an unbelievable asset for us. He makes us better on day one, and I know our fans will be excited to see the acceleration of our content with Austin helping us grow.

Austin Christensen on his new role at Idaho

I am honored to be joining the Vandal family and returning to the Big Sky Conference. I feel blessed to have the support and trust of Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik and Jerek Wolcott, as well as the trust of our Vandal coaches. The tradition of Vandal athletics is rich, and this is a role that I treat with the utmost respect. I want Vandal fans to know that I will give this job everything I have, and I look forward to developing a relationship with them. I believe Idaho has the most exciting brand in the Big Sky Conference and I'm excited to play a role in bringing championships to Moscow.
Keintz makes his way to the University of Idaho with extreme familiarity with the Big Sky Conference. He attended the University of Montana - where he played football as a starting offensive tackle for the Griz - and worked as a sports information intern for nearly two years.

Upon graduation from Montana, the Missoula, Mont. native deepened his Big Sky roots and went to Idaho State University for nearly two years where he worked as a graduate assistant.
Keintz will be overseeing communication Vandal men's basketball, men's and women's tennis, and volleyball.

Jerek Wolcott on the hire

Colton's experience as a student-athlete, his excitement for the work, and his drive to improve get me excited about having him in Moscow. I am grateful to have his voice in the room and look forward to watching his growth.

Colton Keintz on his new role at Idaho

I feel so blessed to be joining the great staff at the University of Idaho! Everyone has been so welcoming and everything makes me feel like I'm in the right place. The university and the community are going to get everything I have. I'm so excited to be a Vandal!