Berger Returns to Uptown as Tulane’s Senior Associate AD for Development
Sep 6, 2023 | Green Wave Club
NEW ORLEANS – Tulane Director of Athletics Troy Dannen announced Wednesday that Justin Berger has been named the Green Wave's new Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development.
Berger returns to the Uptown campus after two years at Stony Brook in a similar capacity. In his role, he led the department's most successful fundraising year in its history a year ago, totaling more than $7.3 million in new gifts and pledges from more than 1,700 donors. His efforts helped spearhead numerous capital improvements to Stony Brook's facilities and he was instrumental in the development, launch, and growth of the John Ramsey Leadership Society, an organization recognizing Stony Brook Athletics' most ardent and generous supporters.
Berger previously served Tulane for three and a half years, where he most recently served as Assistant Athletic Director for Development until September of 2021. Berger oversaw the Green Wave Club's annual giving program, solicited major gifts supporting Tulane's 17 varsity athletic programs and managed all development internal operations. While in New Orleans, Berger guided efforts that led to 13.8% year-over-year growth in unrestricted donations in the 2021 fiscal year and Tulane Athletics' largest single-year unrestricted donation revenue.
"We're thrilled to welcome Justin back to Uptown," said Director of Athletics Troy Dannen. "Justin was previously an integral part of our development efforts and we will all benefit greatly from his leadership."
Before his time at Tulane, Berger served the University at Albany as its Great Dane Athletic Club Development Assistant from June 2017 until May 2018.
Berger earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from UAlbany in May 2016, where he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence and the President's Award for Athletic Leadership and the President's Outstanding Senior Award. He completed his master's degree at UAlbany in Educational Policy and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education in May 2018.
"There's an incredible energy behind Tulane Athletics and I couldn't be more excited about returning to New Orleans at this moment in time," said Berger. "Green Wave Club members are a passionate, loyal, and generous group. I'm looking forward to the conversations ahead about where Tulane Athletics is going and how we're going to get there. Thank you to Troy Dannen and the entire team at Tulane for the opportunity to return to a place that means so much to me and my family. I can't wait to reconnect with everybody soon. ROLL WAVE!"
At UAlbany, Berger was a four-year member of the Great Danes' men's lacrosse program from 2013-16. He helped lead UAlbany to three America East Championships, four NCAA Tournament berths, and two NCAA Quarterfinal appearances. As an undergraduate, he was the President of UAlbany's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Chair of the America East Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and a member of the NCAA Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
What They're Saying about Justin Berger
"Justin Berger is an outstanding hire, and someone who will be successful in leading the development efforts building off the relationships he established in his first stint at Tulane. Early on he exhibited excellent leadership qualities as an undergraduate and graduate student athlete at UAlbany. It's been an absolute pleasure to watch his professional growth over the years. Justin has a passion for supporting student athletes and an ability to develop strong relationships with people internally and externally who share his love of college athletics. I'm so happy for him in his return to the Green Wave and excited to see the positive impact he will make!"
Mark Benson, UAlbany Director of Athletics
"Working in college athletics is all about building meaningful relationships, and no one understands that more than Justin. He's got the most important quality that you can't teach - genuineness - and that translates into trust. Justin is a natural leader with a high motor and a passion for student-athlete success. His two years at Stony Brook were remarkably impactful as evidenced by our strongest fundraising year in department history and several initiatives that he put into place. Justin is beyond ready to take this exciting next step in his career at Tulane and I believe that the sky is the limit for him."
Shawn Heilbron, Stony Brook Director of Athletics
"I am thrilled Justin Berger is returning to Tulane to lead the Green Wave's fundraising efforts. His knowledge of Tulane University, the student-athletes, coaches, and most importantly, the generous supporters, will raise the bar for the entire Tulane community. There is terrific momentum behind Tulane Athletics right now and Justin's leadership will ensure that energy remains strong."
Tyler Kai, University of Nebraska Associate Athletics Director
"Justin is a home run hire for Tulane and Tulane Athletics. He is the perfect person to lead fundraising and I have no doubt he will make an immediate impact. After working with Justin for over a year, not only is he a hard worker but he has a way of connecting with everyone he encounters...it's truly a gift. I'm sad to see him go, but I'm glad that he's going to my alma mater!"
Ashley Langford, Stony Brook Women's Basketball Head Coach and Tulane Hall of Famer
FOLLOW TULANE ATHLETICS
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device. Fans can follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
Berger returns to the Uptown campus after two years at Stony Brook in a similar capacity. In his role, he led the department's most successful fundraising year in its history a year ago, totaling more than $7.3 million in new gifts and pledges from more than 1,700 donors. His efforts helped spearhead numerous capital improvements to Stony Brook's facilities and he was instrumental in the development, launch, and growth of the John Ramsey Leadership Society, an organization recognizing Stony Brook Athletics' most ardent and generous supporters.
Berger previously served Tulane for three and a half years, where he most recently served as Assistant Athletic Director for Development until September of 2021. Berger oversaw the Green Wave Club's annual giving program, solicited major gifts supporting Tulane's 17 varsity athletic programs and managed all development internal operations. While in New Orleans, Berger guided efforts that led to 13.8% year-over-year growth in unrestricted donations in the 2021 fiscal year and Tulane Athletics' largest single-year unrestricted donation revenue.
"We're thrilled to welcome Justin back to Uptown," said Director of Athletics Troy Dannen. "Justin was previously an integral part of our development efforts and we will all benefit greatly from his leadership."
Before his time at Tulane, Berger served the University at Albany as its Great Dane Athletic Club Development Assistant from June 2017 until May 2018.
Berger earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from UAlbany in May 2016, where he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence and the President's Award for Athletic Leadership and the President's Outstanding Senior Award. He completed his master's degree at UAlbany in Educational Policy and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education in May 2018.
"There's an incredible energy behind Tulane Athletics and I couldn't be more excited about returning to New Orleans at this moment in time," said Berger. "Green Wave Club members are a passionate, loyal, and generous group. I'm looking forward to the conversations ahead about where Tulane Athletics is going and how we're going to get there. Thank you to Troy Dannen and the entire team at Tulane for the opportunity to return to a place that means so much to me and my family. I can't wait to reconnect with everybody soon. ROLL WAVE!"
At UAlbany, Berger was a four-year member of the Great Danes' men's lacrosse program from 2013-16. He helped lead UAlbany to three America East Championships, four NCAA Tournament berths, and two NCAA Quarterfinal appearances. As an undergraduate, he was the President of UAlbany's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Chair of the America East Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and a member of the NCAA Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
What They're Saying about Justin Berger
"Justin Berger is an outstanding hire, and someone who will be successful in leading the development efforts building off the relationships he established in his first stint at Tulane. Early on he exhibited excellent leadership qualities as an undergraduate and graduate student athlete at UAlbany. It's been an absolute pleasure to watch his professional growth over the years. Justin has a passion for supporting student athletes and an ability to develop strong relationships with people internally and externally who share his love of college athletics. I'm so happy for him in his return to the Green Wave and excited to see the positive impact he will make!"
Mark Benson, UAlbany Director of Athletics
"Working in college athletics is all about building meaningful relationships, and no one understands that more than Justin. He's got the most important quality that you can't teach - genuineness - and that translates into trust. Justin is a natural leader with a high motor and a passion for student-athlete success. His two years at Stony Brook were remarkably impactful as evidenced by our strongest fundraising year in department history and several initiatives that he put into place. Justin is beyond ready to take this exciting next step in his career at Tulane and I believe that the sky is the limit for him."
Shawn Heilbron, Stony Brook Director of Athletics
"I am thrilled Justin Berger is returning to Tulane to lead the Green Wave's fundraising efforts. His knowledge of Tulane University, the student-athletes, coaches, and most importantly, the generous supporters, will raise the bar for the entire Tulane community. There is terrific momentum behind Tulane Athletics right now and Justin's leadership will ensure that energy remains strong."
Tyler Kai, University of Nebraska Associate Athletics Director
"Justin is a home run hire for Tulane and Tulane Athletics. He is the perfect person to lead fundraising and I have no doubt he will make an immediate impact. After working with Justin for over a year, not only is he a hard worker but he has a way of connecting with everyone he encounters...it's truly a gift. I'm sad to see him go, but I'm glad that he's going to my alma mater!"
Ashley Langford, Stony Brook Women's Basketball Head Coach and Tulane Hall of Famer
FOLLOW TULANE ATHLETICS
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device. Fans can follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
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