HAMILTON – Colgate University Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir ’01 completed his leadership staff with the addition of two hires: Mark Wheeler, Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations, and Joe Smith, Associate Athletics Director for Business Operations.
“I am excited to have Mark and Joe join our already strong leadership team,” said Amir. “With transition, we have not had a fully staffed leadership team in nearly two years. I know that our student-athletes, staff, coaches, campus partners, and more, will benefit from the work and support of this group.”
Toni Rogers, Mark Wheeler Serve As Deputy ADs
Toni Rogers was promoted to Colgate’s Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Operations/Senior Woman Administrator in February 2024. She serves as the sport administrator for Men’s Ice Hockey, Women’s Volleyball, and Women's Soccer. Rogers primary areas of oversight include strategic planning, sport administration, admissions and financial aid, compliance, academics and student-athlete development, sport performance, gender equity, Title IX, and human resources.
Rogers joined the Colgate staff in December of 2018 as the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services and served in that role for four years prior to being promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director in July of 2022. In her previous role, she was responsible for the management and oversight of the department's compliance program and student-athlete support services, as well as leading the Division's efforts relating to gender equity, Title IX, and strategic planning. She has also spent time supervising the Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving and Softball programs.
Prior to Colgate, she served as Associate AD for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services at Cal State Fullerton. During her four-year term on the West Coast, she served as a member of the athletic department's management team and was responsible for compliance-related needs of 15 varsity sports competing in the Big West Conference, while also serving as the softball program supervisor. Rogers held stints at Canisius and Ohio State prior to Fullerton.
Toni Rogers Full Bio
Wheeler’s hire completes Amir’s two-deputy model, which includes Senior Woman Administrator Toni Rogers. Wheeler, along with Rogers, provide leadership for assigned areas of oversight and coordination for the activities of the athletics department. Wheeler’s primary oversight includes Finance and Business Operations, Facilities, Game Day Operations, Event Scheduling, Marketing and Promotions, Corporate Sponsorship, Athletics Communications and Multimedia, Ticket Operations, and Athletics Fundraising.
An innovative leader with more than a decade of executive-level experience, Wheeler spent nine years as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Administration and Compliance at Syracuse University serving on the University’s Leadership Team as well as the Athletics Director’s Executive Team. Within the athletics department at Syracuse, he oversaw contracts, budgets, scheduling, and personnel for the nationally ranked women’s lacrosse program as well as oversight of the women’s tennis and women’s soccer programs. Wheeler also had direct involvement in the operation of the men’s basketball program.
As part of his role at Syracuse, Wheeler oversaw digital social media, communications, and creative content while creating and launching the Syracuse Athletics Department Name, Image, and Likeness program. He was responsible for implementation strategy, brand partnerships, operational roll-out, and athlete training, while working directly with student-athletes to review opportunities, ideate with brand building, and assist in the execution of campaigns.
Mark Wheeler Full Bio
Joe Smith Named Associate AD for Business Operations
Smith comes to Colgate after spending the last 10 years as the assistant athletic director for fundraising at nearby Morrisville State College. In his role at Colgate, Smith will primarily be responsible for strategic and effective leadership of the business and finance operations for the athletics department. His oversight also includes equipment, information technology, revenue generation and sport assignments.
During his time at Morrisville State, Smith was responsible for fundraising activities within the athletic department, working closely with the college development office to develop new initiatives and program’s in order to increase funding for athletics. He initiated the “Mustang Club” for additional fundraising opportunities within the local community. In addition to his role in fundraising, Smith was a member of the senior staff council for the athletic department, assisting with various aspects of administration, creating and implementing policies and procedures, and collaborating with senior staff.
A multi-faceted leader for the NCAA Division III institution, Smith also served as the Morrisville State head men’s basketball coach since 2009. He secured five conference championships and 10 playoff appearances during his time at the helm. Smith, a three-time Conference Coach of the Year, was named the 2014 BCANY Coach of the Year and 2013 D3hoops East Region Coach of the Year.
Joseph Smith Full Bio
Britt Grove Promoted to Assistant AD for Compliance
Grove was elevated to Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance in February of 2024 and has oversight of NCAA and Patriot League compliance and holds responsibility for NCAA reporting and audits, while supporting the administration with admissions, financial aid, and Title IX. Grove previously served in the role of assistant director of compliance at Colgate beginning in July 2019.
Grove came to Colgate from Bowling Green State University, where her three years were spent as the Director of Compliance and as an Athletic Compliance Graduate Assistant. Grove is an active member of the National Association for Athletics Compliance.
Britt Grove Full Bio
Amir’s leadership team features two deputy athletics directors (Toni Rogers, Mark Wheeler), two senior associate athletics directors (Steve Chouinard, Jamie Mitchell), two associate athletics directors (Meghan Kovac, Joseph Smith), and two assistant athletics directors (Britt Grove, Jackie Murray). Each member of the leadership team will have designated sport oversight in addition to their day-to-day responsibilities.
“Colgate Athletics aspires to excel in every field and every arena,” Amir continued. “The addition of Mark and Joe, with the promotions of Toni and Britt, along with other administrative changes, will continue to support those aspirations. I am happy to have the team together and we are ready to get to work in support of our student-athletes.”
