Ventura

Jeff Ventura

Jeff Ventura was appointed interim Officer in Charge of Athletics in July, 2024.  He has served as the Senior Associate Director of Athletics after previous stints as an Assistant Director of Athletics, Sports Information Director and Sports Information Assistant.

A member of the intercollegiate athletics senior leadership team, he serves as the NCAA compliance coordinator and director of external operations, communications, and corporate partnerships. He is the direct report for athletic communications as well as men's and women's soccer and the fitness center and is the primary administrator responsible for the Bengal Club Golf Classic, the Athletics Hall of Fame and the Benji Awards Show.

During his time as Sports Information Director, his media guide covers were honored as "Best in the Nation" on three occasions by CoSIDA. Ventura has also served as an adjunct lecturer in the communication department since 2005.

Ventura serves on several campus committees, including as member and chair of the Judicial Review Board and the President's Advisory Council on Undergraduate Retention.   He also serves as a member of the SUNYAC governing body, chairing and serving on multiple committees..  He completed a four-year term as a member of the NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Playing Rules Committee and continues to serve on the supplemental discipline committee for men's and women's hockey in the SUNYAC.

Ventura is a 1999 cum laude graduate of Buffalo State with a bachelor's in public communication and was the recipient of the Outstanding Public Communication Student Award upon graduation. He went on to complete his master's in higher education and student affairs administration (formerly student personnel administration) from the college in 2001. He was also a three-year letterwinner in ice hockey, and three-time SUNYAC All-Academic Team honoree at Buffalo State from 1996 to 1999 after transferring from Geneseo.

Jeff and his wife Janelle reside in Amherst with their son Jayden and daughters Rafaela and Mila. He serves on the board of directors with the Wheatfield Blades Hockey Association and coaches three teams in the organization.