11/3/2026 11:49 AM | General
Veteran sports business executive will lead Utah’s fundraising and philanthropic initiatives
SALT LAKE CITY—Erika Barnes has been named Deputy Athletics Director for Development and External Relations, Director of Athletics Mark Harlan announced today. Barnes, a veteran collegiate athletics and sports business executive with extensive experience in fundraising, revenue generation and strategic partnerships, will lead Utah's development and philanthropic initiatives and serve on Harlan's executive leadership team.
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A nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletics, Barnes brings more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics and the broader sports industry to her new role with the Utes. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to student-athlete welfare, equity in sports and developing the next generation of leaders. She will begin her position with Utah on Nov. 9.
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"I am thrilled to welcome Erika and her family to our Utah Athletics family," Harlan said. "Her proven experience leading development teams and high-level initiatives that cultivate meaningful engagement will elevate the impact we make with those who support our student-athletes. Erika will be a tremendous addition to our department at this critical time in our industry when the priority is higher than ever to drive philanthropic giving that funds scholarships and support services to help student-athletes thrive."
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Since 2025, Barnes has led EB7 Advisory Group, a strategic consulting and advisory firm focused on collegiate athletics, innovative revenue generation and governance. As founder and principal consultant, she has advised universities, governing boards and private-sector partners on emerging opportunities in college sports, including initiatives involving name, image and likeness (NIL), sports development, risk management and customer service solutions. She also serves as an operating partner with Banner Sports Group, helping partner universities unlock enterprise value and generate new recurring revenue by utilizing their existing assets & IP.
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"I'm incredibly excited to join Utah Athletics and be part of a university with such a strong tradition of competitive excellence, passionate supporters and commitment to its student-athletes," Barnes said. "I'm especially grateful to Mark Harlan for his confidence in me and the opportunity to join his leadership team, as well as the outstanding development team whose incredible work has positioned Utah for even greater success to come. This is an important time in college athletics, and I look forward to working alongside our staff, coaches, donors and partners to build relationships, create further opportunities and generate resources that position the Utes for continued success."
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Prior to founding EB7 Advisory Group, Barnes spent 19 years at her alma mater, the University of Arizona, guiding record-breaking revenue generation, transformative facility projects and student-athlete success. A 2001 NCAA softball national champion for the Wildcats, Barnes served in several key leadership positions, including Interim Director of Athletics, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator and Chief Development Officer.
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During her tenure at Arizona, Barnes developed and managed five athletics capital campaigns totaling more than $250 million and secured more than $100 million in major and principal gifts, including eight of the 20 largest gifts in department history. Her fundraising leadership included securing significant lead and naming gifts supporting major athletics facilities. Her responsibilities also spanned sport administration, external relations, strategic planning and oversight of all student-athlete support services.
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Barnes developed an affinity for Utah Athletics through her service on the Pac-12 and Big 12 Councils, including as Vice President, as well as roles on conference task forces and council liaison to coaches' groups. She also served on the NCAA Division I Softball Committee and helped expand Arizona's varsity sport offerings with the addition of beach volleyball and women's triathlon.
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Barnes graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in communications and earned NFCA Scholar-Athlete All-America honors while playing first base for the Wildcats. She earned her M.B.A. from the Eller College of Management in 2010. Her professional background also includes experience in sales, sports broadcasting and media production, including roles at Fox Sports and National Pro Fastpitch.
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Barnes serves on the Executive Board of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl and the State of Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission.
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Barnes is married to Andy Barnes, a former collegiate All-American golfer and veteran PGA Tour caddie, and they have two children, Tillie and Blake.
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A nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletics, Barnes brings more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics and the broader sports industry to her new role with the Utes. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to student-athlete welfare, equity in sports and developing the next generation of leaders. She will begin her position with Utah on Nov. 9.
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"I am thrilled to welcome Erika and her family to our Utah Athletics family," Harlan said. "Her proven experience leading development teams and high-level initiatives that cultivate meaningful engagement will elevate the impact we make with those who support our student-athletes. Erika will be a tremendous addition to our department at this critical time in our industry when the priority is higher than ever to drive philanthropic giving that funds scholarships and support services to help student-athletes thrive."
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Since 2025, Barnes has led EB7 Advisory Group, a strategic consulting and advisory firm focused on collegiate athletics, innovative revenue generation and governance. As founder and principal consultant, she has advised universities, governing boards and private-sector partners on emerging opportunities in college sports, including initiatives involving name, image and likeness (NIL), sports development, risk management and customer service solutions. She also serves as an operating partner with Banner Sports Group, helping partner universities unlock enterprise value and generate new recurring revenue by utilizing their existing assets & IP.
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"I'm incredibly excited to join Utah Athletics and be part of a university with such a strong tradition of competitive excellence, passionate supporters and commitment to its student-athletes," Barnes said. "I'm especially grateful to Mark Harlan for his confidence in me and the opportunity to join his leadership team, as well as the outstanding development team whose incredible work has positioned Utah for even greater success to come. This is an important time in college athletics, and I look forward to working alongside our staff, coaches, donors and partners to build relationships, create further opportunities and generate resources that position the Utes for continued success."
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Prior to founding EB7 Advisory Group, Barnes spent 19 years at her alma mater, the University of Arizona, guiding record-breaking revenue generation, transformative facility projects and student-athlete success. A 2001 NCAA softball national champion for the Wildcats, Barnes served in several key leadership positions, including Interim Director of Athletics, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator and Chief Development Officer.
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During her tenure at Arizona, Barnes developed and managed five athletics capital campaigns totaling more than $250 million and secured more than $100 million in major and principal gifts, including eight of the 20 largest gifts in department history. Her fundraising leadership included securing significant lead and naming gifts supporting major athletics facilities. Her responsibilities also spanned sport administration, external relations, strategic planning and oversight of all student-athlete support services.
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Barnes developed an affinity for Utah Athletics through her service on the Pac-12 and Big 12 Councils, including as Vice President, as well as roles on conference task forces and council liaison to coaches' groups. She also served on the NCAA Division I Softball Committee and helped expand Arizona's varsity sport offerings with the addition of beach volleyball and women's triathlon.
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Barnes graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in communications and earned NFCA Scholar-Athlete All-America honors while playing first base for the Wildcats. She earned her M.B.A. from the Eller College of Management in 2010. Her professional background also includes experience in sales, sports broadcasting and media production, including roles at Fox Sports and National Pro Fastpitch.
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Barnes serves on the Executive Board of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl and the State of Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission.
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Barnes is married to Andy Barnes, a former collegiate All-American golfer and veteran PGA Tour caddie, and they have two children, Tillie and Blake.
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