COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Ty Dennis begins his role as Saint John's University's athletic facilities and events coordinator on Monday, Aug. 3.

The 20-month internship runs throughout the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years and is funded by the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women's Internship Grant program. This is the second time SJU has received the grant.

"I am thrilled to become a part of the Johnnie family," Dennis said. "This position gives me a great opportunity to build strong relationships with students, faculty and members of the community, while always providing the best game-day experience for student-athletes and Johnnie supporters.

"I want to thank the SJU staff, especially (assistant athletic director for events and facilities) Nicci Malecha, (athletic director) Bob Alpers, and the rest of the hiring committee, for giving me the opportunity to have this incredible role to help lead SJU athletics. I also want to thank everyone who has helped me develop into the professional that I am today. From the support I received at (Division II Southwest Minnesota State) SMSU over the past two years, my colleagues during the hiring process, and most importantly my family."

As the athletic facilities and events coordinator, Dennis will assist in managing all of SJU's athletic facilities. He will oversee the student staff, manage facility rentals and budget, and provide oversight of safety in all areas, especially with new policies regarding COVID-19. Dennis will also aid SJU's sports marketing and media relations departments, thanks to his recent experience as a marketing and athletic development assistant while pursuing his master's degree in sports leadership at Southwest Minnesota State.

"We are excited to have Ty join the SJU athletic department," Malecha said. "Ty has a great background in internal marketing, fan engagement and events. He will be a great addition to the department to help promote our athletic teams and to continue to build on our success."

A native of Burlington, Wis., Dennis was a three-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) honoree as a wide receiver and two-year captain at Division II Minnesota State-Mankato from 2014-17. He served on the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for nearly three years and as an external communications coordinator as a member of the Division II SAAC Executive Board. During his time at SMSU, Dennis also served as the athletic department liaison to the Mustangs' SAAC, while assisting with all aspects of marketing, promotions, development, game-day management and fan experience.

Dennis attended the NCAA Merging Leaders Seminar, served on the NSIC Strategic Planning Committee and received the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA)/Division II Grant to attend the Division II Governance Academy, MOAA Symposium and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention.