ARCATA, Calif.--- Drew Gwerder was named the Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications for Cal Poly Humboldt on October 26, 2022. He oversees the department's communications efforts and is the primary sport contact for men's soccer and softball. 
 
"I am ecstatic to welcome Drew Gwerder to the Cal Poly Humboldt and Lumberjack Athletics family," said Cooper Jones, the Executive Director for Intercollegiate Athletics & Campus Recreation.  "Drew brings great passion and a diverse skill-set to this role, and his career successes across the spectrum of sports media made him the right choice for this position." 
 
Gwerder comes to Cal Poly Humboldt from Holy Names University, where he worked for three and a half years in the sports information office. At HNU, he oversaw communications, social media, and marketing aspects for all 13 teams and department fundraisers. He was co-advisor for HSAAC, their Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and served as a liaison for the men's and women's soccer coaches to the PacWest Conference. Gwerder also co-founded the Bay Area Clásico Cup, a soccer tournament involving three PacWest institutions located in the Bay Area. 
 
"With the campus designation as a Polytechnic institution and the athletics departments prioritization of success in the classroom, in the community and in competition, it is a transformational time for Lumberjack Athletics," stated Jones.  "Drew's passion for storytelling, and the student-centric approach to his work, made him the right choice for Cal Poly Humboldt as we embark upon this key inflection point in our history.  We look forward to the significant contributions Drew will make to our campus community in the coming years."
 
A native of Elk Grove, Calif., Gwerder attended Holy Names University and earned his Master's in Education with a concentration in Physical Education. Prior to receiving his master's, he also earned an undergraduate degree in Business with a concentration in Sports Management and Marketing. Gwerder was a member of the HNU Baseball team for four years (2015-2019) where he competed as an Academic All-Conference student-athlete.