VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton Associate Director of Athletics for Corporate Partnerships
Brian Jester was honored this past Saturday by University of Georgia, where he is an acclaimed baseball alumnus.
Jester was presented with the
Tom Cousins Outstanding Athletic Achievement Award, given annually to a Georgia baseball lettermen "who has distinguished himself on and off the playing field, his performance, leadership and integrity inspires present and future players to give their all to win at the highest level."
He was presented with the award by current Bulldogs head coach Wes Johnson, whose 10th-ranked team then defeated 14th-ranked Oklahoma in front of a capacity crowd at Foley Field.
"This is an incredible honor," Jester said. "I am very appreciative and humbled. I'd like to dedicate this award to our head coach Steve Webber, assistant coaches Howard McCann, Greg Appleton and Jim Bagnall, all the Georgia baseball staff members and student-athletes who I've had the privilege to work alongside for so many years ... and lastly to my best friends in the world ... my teammates."
On the diamond, Jester was a prolific power hitter who earned a spot on the Georgia roster as a freshman walk-on. Four years later, he was an All-American and led the Bulldogs to their first College World Series title in 1990, and first by an SEC school. Jester hit a team-high .364 and totaled 17 home runs and 64 RBI. He played first base and DH for Georgia and finished his career as an All-SEC and Academic All-SEC selection.
He graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and returned to campus to earn his master's degree in sport management 2006. During his second stint at Georgia as Director of Baseball Operations, Jester helped steer the Bulldogs to three more College World Series berths and he owns the rare distinction of being part of five of the six CWS teams in school history, including its two most successful teams (1990, 2008).
After playing one season professionally in the Atlanta Braves organization, Jester began a career in sales. He worked as an account executive with prominent sporting goods companies CAF and Easton Sports for nearly 14 years before returning to college athletics. He returned to the region in 2009 as Associate Director of Athletics at SUNY Oneonta, where he headed the Red Dragons' marketing and fundraising efforts. Jester traded SUNY schools and colors in 2014 when he arrived at Binghamton.
Now in his 11th year with the Bearcats, Jester oversees the division's corporate partnerships. He also is a sport administrator and longest-tenured member of the external advancement team. Jester still shares his vast baseball knowledge as an analyst for America East postseason tournament games. His Bulldog ties are kept strong with several yearly trips back to Athens.
"To be recognized with an award that carries Mr. Cousins' name – someone who stands for leadership, excellence and service - is something I will cherish forever," Jester added. "Being part of Georgia baseball has shaped me in ways I will be proud of for the rest of my life. Go Dawgs!"
