SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University Director of Athletics
Chris Standiford announced the hiring of
Devon Thomas for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/External Operations Monday. Thomas will oversee GU's athletic marketing and communications departments as well as DEI initiatives.
"We are excited to welcome Devon back to Gonzaga Athletics," Standiford said. "He has a tremendous amount of experience in leadership and development positions that will only benefit our department. Devon brings wisdom and passion to be impactful to our diversity and inclusivity initiatives. As a former student-athlete, we are confident he will have a positive influence on our current and future Bulldogs."
Thomas will be a member of the Bulldogs' Athletic Department's senior leadership team. The Senior Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion/External Operations position will coordinate diversity, equity and inclusion action planning, programming, education and trainings for student-athletes and staff in connection with university DEI efforts. Thomas will also serve in a senior leadership capacity with oversight of the Zags Marketing and Communications units.
"I am so excited to re-join the team at Gonzaga at such a dynamic time," Thomas said. "GU is already well-positioned to provide student athletes with a first-class experience. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a mission-driven institution."
Thomas comes to GU following three and a half years with Eastern Washington University Athletics, most recently as the Deputy Athletic Director. At EWU, his responsibilities included overseeing annual development, marketing, communications and ticket operations. Thomas served as the liaison to Eagles Sports Properties, a Learfield Sports Property, the athletic department's multimedia rights holder. Thomas also functioned as the department's diversity and inclusion designee, serving as the primary contact and conduit for diversity and inclusion-related information.
Prior to his time in Cheney, Thomas served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Spokane Operations with Washington State University beginning in 2014. He led the WSU Athletics development and engagement efforts in the Spokane Region of over 900 donors and $1.47 million in annual contributions.
Before WSU, Thomas spent two years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Annual Giving at the University of Louisville. From 2009 to 2012, Thomas was the Director of Annual Giving for Gonzaga Athletics, serving as the senior annual fund staff member tasked with the oversight and growth of annual development efforts.
Prior to arriving at Gonzaga, Thomas led the marketing efforts at the University of Central Florida as the Assistant Athletic Director after spending four years at the University of Idaho. While at Idaho, Thomas developed and executed strategic marketing plans for Idaho's 16 NCAA Division I programs.
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Thomas is a former student-athlete (football) and graduate of the University of Louisville. He began his administrative career at his alma mater, spending time in both development and marketing, spearheading many of Louisville's former student-athlete initiatives.
Thomas and his wife, Melanie, have two sons Joshua (wife Kasey) and Brandon. Joshua is a former men's basketball student-athlete and graduate of Eastern Washington. Brandon is a junior at Central Valley High School.
