Laux rounds out external operations team

Laux rounds out external operations team

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman's Director of Eagle Club and External Operations Shelly Laux has announced the hiring of an Athletic Operations Associate, and Athletic Marketing Associate and a Fan Engagement Coordinator to round out Carson-Newman's external operations team.

Former Carson-Newman baseball player Sam Savell moves from a GA in external operations to the position of Athletics Operation Associate.  He will work with Laux for game operations management and promotional sponsorships. 

Taylor Hawkins, a former men's basketball player and coach, returns to Mossy Creek after a stint with the Tennessee Smokies to be the Eagles' new Athletic Marketing Associate. In his role, he will primarily focus on developing corporate partnerships and increasing athletic department revenue. 

Jordan DeFilippo moves within the department after finishing a graduate assistantship with Carson-Newman's strength program. She is the department's new Fan Engagement Coordinator and will be responsible for developing new in-game promotions, increasing attendance and creating a fun, engaging gameday environment. 

Savell was a two-year player for the Carson-Newman baseball program who saw his career cut short due to injury.  He finished his undergraduate degree at Carson-Newman in business administration with an emphasis in management before attaining his master's in business management from Carson-Newman as well.  Prior to his graduate assistantship with Carson-Newman, he was a work study his final three years of his undergrad working for the Eagle Club and Carson-Newman's athletic administration. 

Hawkins was a crucial reserve and "glue guy" for the Carson-Newman basketball program in his four-year career.  Hawkins top game came against Brevard his sophomore year when he scored 10 points and drilled a trio of threes against the Tornados.  He scored 70 points in his Carson-Newman career with 53 rebounds.

He helped the Eagles put together four straight winning seasons, a SAC tournament championship and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances.  He is also a part of the third fastest team to win 20 games at Carson-Newman in school history. 

Hawkins has an undergraduate degree in business marketing, a master's in business management and is pursuing a career in athletic administration. 

DeFilippo makes the move to external operations after assisting Carson-Newman's Sports Performance as a graduate assistant over the last year.  She assisted in programming for the football team's strength and conditioning programs as well as creating and updating social media pages for the department.  She finished her master's in business administration from Carson-Newman this August.  She is a 2018 graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and sports management.