Franklin Hired to Lead Cougar Pride, Development Efforts
8/3/2023 10:38:00 AM | General, Cougar Pride
Senior Associate Athletic Director continues rapid ascension in college athletics
HOUSTON – University of Houston Athletics has hired Alvin Franklin, a rapidly rising professional within collegiate athletics, as its Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development/Executive Director of Development, pending final University approval, Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman announced Thursday.
Franklin will oversee the day-to-day operations and provide administrative supervision of Cougar Pride, Houston Athletics' fundraising arm. He will also implement and manage Houston's major gifts and premium seating programs, focusing on large contributions.
"We're genuinely excited for Alvin to join our team at the University of Houston," Pezman said. "We conducted a national search for this role and Alvin really stood out. He has a great energy about him and he's going to be a huge asset for us as we transition into the Big 12. He is a tremendous addition as we continue working to grow."
Franklin makes the jump to Houston from Starkville, Miss., where he served as Associate Athletics Director of Development and Team Lead at Mississippi State for the last two athletic years. In this role, Franklin led the Bulldogs' major gift fundraising team where he was responsible for closing major and principal gifts while also setting the overall major gift strategy for the Bulldog Club. Franklin also served on the newly formed MSU Athletics Leadership Council and was a member of the University Foundation team leadership group.
"I am thrilled and honored to join the staff at the University of Houston and to lead the Cougar Pride office," Franklin said. "There is so much excitement and momentum to build on during this monumental time for Houston Athletics. We will be relentless in our efforts to connect with our stakeholders while connecting their interests to our department's needs. I am appreciative of Chris Pezman and Garrett Klassy for this amazing opportunity! Go Coogs!"
While at Mississippi State, Franklin served as the President of Athletics' Diversity and Inclusion Council as well as the secondary sport administrator for the Bulldogs' football team.
Prior to his time in Starkville, Franklin served two years as the Director of Athletic Development for Major Gifts at Purdue where he led fundraising efforts for the southeast region of the United States. He was also influential in the completion of the "More Than a Game Campaign" and growing the major gift pipeline.
An alumnus of Jackson State University in 2015, Franklin starred on the baseball team while earning his degree in Economics. He then earned two Masters degrees, one from Mississippi State in Sports Administration and then from Purdue in Higher Education.
Franklin got his start in Athletics Development at Mississippi State as a Graduate Assistant before a one-year stint as Sports Information Director and Assistant Baseball Coach at Hinds Community College.
He then spent the next two years UAB as Athletics Development Associate before a stint at South Alabama as Assistant Director for Athletic Development.
Franklin was instrumental in growing sport specific and annual giving efforts. Additionally, he assisted with orchestrating capital improvements for a new football stadium, volleyball gymnasium improvements, golf program's practice facility and a new track surface.
As an educator, on top of his development strengths, Franklin taught Sports Finance as well as Organization and Management in Sports Programs at Mississippi University for Women during the last 20 months.
He also worked on the Inaugural SEC Opportunity Forum Class for the 2022-2023 academic year and is a graduate of the prestigious NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. Franklin is very active in the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) where he was a SEC Conference Representative 2021-2023 and served on their Diversity Working Group.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
Franklin will oversee the day-to-day operations and provide administrative supervision of Cougar Pride, Houston Athletics' fundraising arm. He will also implement and manage Houston's major gifts and premium seating programs, focusing on large contributions.
"We're genuinely excited for Alvin to join our team at the University of Houston," Pezman said. "We conducted a national search for this role and Alvin really stood out. He has a great energy about him and he's going to be a huge asset for us as we transition into the Big 12. He is a tremendous addition as we continue working to grow."
Franklin makes the jump to Houston from Starkville, Miss., where he served as Associate Athletics Director of Development and Team Lead at Mississippi State for the last two athletic years. In this role, Franklin led the Bulldogs' major gift fundraising team where he was responsible for closing major and principal gifts while also setting the overall major gift strategy for the Bulldog Club. Franklin also served on the newly formed MSU Athletics Leadership Council and was a member of the University Foundation team leadership group.
"I am thrilled and honored to join the staff at the University of Houston and to lead the Cougar Pride office," Franklin said. "There is so much excitement and momentum to build on during this monumental time for Houston Athletics. We will be relentless in our efforts to connect with our stakeholders while connecting their interests to our department's needs. I am appreciative of Chris Pezman and Garrett Klassy for this amazing opportunity! Go Coogs!"
While at Mississippi State, Franklin served as the President of Athletics' Diversity and Inclusion Council as well as the secondary sport administrator for the Bulldogs' football team.
Prior to his time in Starkville, Franklin served two years as the Director of Athletic Development for Major Gifts at Purdue where he led fundraising efforts for the southeast region of the United States. He was also influential in the completion of the "More Than a Game Campaign" and growing the major gift pipeline.
An alumnus of Jackson State University in 2015, Franklin starred on the baseball team while earning his degree in Economics. He then earned two Masters degrees, one from Mississippi State in Sports Administration and then from Purdue in Higher Education.
Franklin got his start in Athletics Development at Mississippi State as a Graduate Assistant before a one-year stint as Sports Information Director and Assistant Baseball Coach at Hinds Community College.
He then spent the next two years UAB as Athletics Development Associate before a stint at South Alabama as Assistant Director for Athletic Development.
Franklin was instrumental in growing sport specific and annual giving efforts. Additionally, he assisted with orchestrating capital improvements for a new football stadium, volleyball gymnasium improvements, golf program's practice facility and a new track surface.
As an educator, on top of his development strengths, Franklin taught Sports Finance as well as Organization and Management in Sports Programs at Mississippi University for Women during the last 20 months.
He also worked on the Inaugural SEC Opportunity Forum Class for the 2022-2023 academic year and is a graduate of the prestigious NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute. Franklin is very active in the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) where he was a SEC Conference Representative 2021-2023 and served on their Diversity Working Group.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
Postgame Press Conference: Football vs. Texas Tech
Saturday, October 04
HIGHLIGHTS – Bayou City Collegiate Classic First Day (Sept. 29, 2025)
Tuesday, September 30
Highlights: Houston 27, Oregon State 24 (OT)
Monday, September 29
HIGHLIGHTS: Houston 3, Texas Tech 1
Sunday, September 28