Cedar City, Utah – Southern Utah University Athletics is excited to announce that Funaki Asisi has returned to the department as General Manager for Van Wagner, the university's official corporate sales partner. Asisi's extensive background in operations, sales, recruitment, and student-athlete development makes him a valuable asset in strengthening SUU's athletic partnerships and driving strategic growth.
Funaki said of his return to Thunderbird Athletics, "SUU and Cedar City are near and dear to my family and me! To say we are excited to be back in Southern Utah would be an understatement." He added, "Doug and the athletics staff have been building something special—who wouldn't want to be a part of something this great? SUU's corporate partners are among the best and most loyal I've ever worked with, and I look forward to continuing to drive value back to them."
Asisi rejoins SUU Athletics after a distinguished professional journey, including roles with prominent organizations across sports and recruiting sectors. Most recently, he served as Director of Professional Recruitment at Pure Energy Official, where he honed skills in talent management, strategic planning, and leadership development. His role involved facilitating high-level recruiting processes, onboarding, and relationship-building with a focus on maximizing organizational goals.
Alongside his recruitment experience, Asisi has actively contributed to the sports community as host of The Recruit Grind podcast, which supports high school athletes in navigating the college recruiting process. His insights on collegiate athletics, recruiting strategies, and personal development for student-athletes make him an excellent fit for this role with Van Wagner.
Previously, Asisi held a series of impactful positions that uniquely prepared him for success at SUU. He served as Director of Operations and Sales at Varsity Sports TV, where he developed marketing strategies, managed large deals, and supported customer relations. In 2019, Asisi was General Manager for Van Wagner's operations in Cedar City, Utah, where he developed an effective sales strategy and fostered partnerships that advanced the department's revenue generation and community engagement.
Asisi's career has also included roles at major universities, such as Oregon State University and the University of Oregon, where he supported football operations, recruiting, and student-athlete development. These experiences have equipped him with a strong foundation in collegiate sports administration, as well as a dedication to creating positive, productive experiences for athletes and partners alike.
Asisi will oversee corporate sponsorships and enhance the SUU Athletics brand by strengthening community and corporate partnerships in his new role. His return reflects Southern Utah University's commitment to growth and excellence in its athletic programs, and the department is thrilled to welcome him back.
About Van Wagner
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, sponsorship sales, multi-media rights, and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises, and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands, and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA, and international soccer, sponsorships sales, college multi-media rights, and in-venue content production at the world's biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.
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