In his role as Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations at AU, a role which he has held since 2005, David Bierwirth leads the department’s marketing, communications, sponsorship, ticketing and licensing teams. With career experience in all these areas, he drives increased awareness, resources, name recognition and external partnerships in support of the Eagles student-athletes. He also serves as the department’s liaison with university development and alumni relation units.
As a member of the department’s executive leadership he has contributed to the last three Athletics strategic plans, developed mentor and job placement programs between Eagles alumni and student-athletes and has been instrumental in department special projects including the establishment of new department logos and marks (2008), the institution of The Doug Dugan and Brian Sulmonetti awards, the student fan group The Blue Crew and administration of the Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Hall of Fame. Bierwirth has also served the university on its Campus Plan Project Team (2007-08), and is a standing member of the University Trademark & Licensing Committee.
In his 14 years on Ward Circle, Bierwirth has achieved record increases in philanthropic giving and corporate sponsorship revenue and led negotiations on the university’s first, and largest ever apparel & marketing partnership with Under Armour. His work on growing the reach of AU Athletics has led to significant rights-agreements with NBC Sports Washington, WTOP, Federal News Radio, CLC and several web and strategic communications outlets.
Prior to joining AU, Bierwirth served as General Manager of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) for Host Communications Inc. (HOST), There he was responsible for the management of all sponsorship sales, television production and marketing efforts for the 10 school conference. He negotiated the league's first-ever radio initiative with 1050 ESPN Radio in New York City while increasing both the MAAC's and HOST's national advertising efforts in the region.
Bierwirth served as the Associate Athletics Director at Pace University from 1998-2000 where he was responsible for all athletics and alumni development, marketing and sponsorships. He established and built the Setters Club into the principle means of giving for athletics alumni, oversaw the sports information department and was responsible for team travel and administration.
Bierwirth began his career in the D.C. market as the Director of Sports Marketing and Ticket Manager at George Washington University from 1995-98 and a Regional Sales Manager at the USAir Arena from 1993-1995.
Bierwirth earned his Master’s Degree in Organization Development (MSOD) from the School of Public Affairs at American University in 2013. He is a 1993 graduate of Saint Michael's College, which he attended on a basketball scholarship and was also a two-year member of the baseball team. He has attained his Sports Marketing Professional Certification from the Gatton School of Business at the University of Kentucky.
