A native Tucsonan, Blair Willis has worked with Arizona Athletics since graduating from the University of Arizona in 2007. He is currently an Associate Director for Communication Services, serving as the primary contact for football, with oversight of gymnastics, women’s golf and the office’s student internship program.
For his work with Arizona football, Willis coordinates all communication efforts with the goal to encourage, promote and facilitate positive media coverage of the student-athletes, coaches and staff. In doing so, Willis works closely with local, regional and national media to provide information, human interest stories and access to the program.
In his daily responsibilities, Willis organizes and executes all necessary media operations, including press conferences, press releases, credentialing and press box management. Other oversight includes historical archives, statistical compilation and social media management for the program’s official accounts. Additionally, he nominates and promotes student-athletes and staff for Pac-12 and national awards consideration.
Prior to his promotion in 2015, Willis was an Assistant Director for Communication Services/Media Relations for seven years, working as the primary contact for baseball and secondary contact for football. His nine years of service with Wildcat football has included seven bowl trips and one Pac-12 Football Championship Game Appearance.
Along with his specific duties to Arizona’s athletic programs, Willis has assisted with the department’s media operations efforts to host Pac-12 and NCAA Championship events. He also has volunteered to assist with media operations for the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz., as well as the 2016 Fiesta Bowl and 2016 Cactus Bowl. Additionally, Willis has worked two Pac-12 Football Championship Games as a team liaison.
During his time with Arizona baseball, Willis worked with Hall of Fame coach Andy Lopez, who retired in 2015. His time with Lopez included three-consecutive NCAA tournament appearances from 2010-12, highlighted by the 2012 national championship. That season, Willis served as the Media Coordinator for the Tucson Regional and Tucson Super Regional, before handling all communications efforts for the Wildcats at the College World Series. Lopez was also named National Coach of the Year that season.
Willis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Arizona in 2007. While attending UA, Willis worked three years in the Media Relations department where he was the primary contact for Arizona gymnastics. In his time as a student assistant, Willis helped with hosting the preliminary rounds of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in 2005-06, along with serving as media coordinator for the 2007 NCAA South Central Regional Gymnastics Championships.
Upon his graduation, Willis was hired in August 2007 as a marketing associate to handle all marketing responsibilities for Arizona women’s basketball and the two-time defending national championship Arizona softball program. Additionally, Willis served as the department’s tailgating coordinator on football game days.
