TOLEDO — Al Tomlinson, deputy athletic director at the University of Toledo, left UToledo on Friday to join the University of Tennessee as senior associate athletic director for capital projects and facility revenue.
Tomlinson said his responsibilities in Tennessee will differ significantly from his role at UToledo. He will oversee large-scale projects exceeding $500 million and serve as the primary contact for the Neyland Entertainment District, an area near Neyland Stadium featuring entertainment, retail, restaurants and condotels (condos operated as hotels).
Despite his excitement about the new role, Tomlinson said he will miss the students and welcoming community.
“When I got here, I said that our students would need to be treated as if they’re our 17th sports program,” he said, referencing UToledo’s 16 athletic programs at the time, and the importance of maintaining each. “That’s the level of emphasis we’ll place on their experience.”…