TicketsKaren Hatcher, a decorated sports marketing professional, has served the University of Cincinnati for well over a decade. Her work has impacted nearly every area of Cincinnati Athletics, UC Health, and numerous university initiatives.
Hatcher joined the Bearcats in December 2012 as Assistant AD for Leadership Gifts and quickly advanced to lead the external relations department, serving under three athletic directors. In that role, she oversaw communications, development, marketing, new media, events, ticketing, and managed partnerships with IMG College, iHeartMedia, and FOX Sports Ohio. She also played a key role in securing UC’s apparel contract with Under Armour and served as sport administrator for women’s tennis and volleyball.
Today, Hatcher focuses on strategic priorities for the University of Cincinnati President Neville Pinto and Director of Athletics John Cunningham as Senior Associate Vice President of Principal Giving for the UC Foundation. She has led fundraising for major projects, including:
- $86 million Nippert Stadium Renovation & Expansion
- $87 million Fifth Third Arena renovation
- $134 million Sheakley Indoor Practice Facility and Sheakley Performance Center
Her efforts have supported capital projects, academic and competitive excellence initiatives, and scholarship endowments. She was also a driving force behind UC’s Day One Ready campaign during the university’s transition to the Big 12 Conference.
With over 20 years of experience in sports marketing and fundraising, Hatcher brings expertise in strategic communications, marketing solutions, nonprofit work, community outreach, and event management. Before joining UC, she led Hatcher & Associates Marketing Services, providing creative strategies and revenue-generation concepts for clients such as Outback Steakhouse/OSI, Verizon, M&M Mars, Kraft Foods, Hills Pet Nutrition, and charitable organizations, as well as NBA, NFL, and MLB teams.
She has also helped raise funds for organizations including the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Easter Seals, Seven Hills School, Berkley Preparatory School, and the Tampa Bay Rays Foundation. Earlier in her career, Hatcher served six years as Director of Special Events for the Houston Astros, overseeing events, promotions, and new business development.
Hatcher earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University. She is a member of NACWAA and NAADD. Karen and her husband, Billy, have two children: Derek, who played football at the University of Richmond, and Chelsea, who played soccer at the University of Tennessee.