Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – With a strong background in sports events management, Jen Zandstra has joined the MacEwan Griffins in the full-time continuing role of Athletics Events Coordinator and Community Engagement.
The graduate of Niagara College’s Radio and Television Presentation Broadcasting program previously worked for both the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Elks prior to joining the MacEwan Athletics department in July.
Zandstra was the successful candidate out of a strong pool of applicants for her new role, which will include improving the Griffins’ game day presentation, engaging fans and raising the overall profile of the Athletics department.
“We are very excited to have Jen join our team and think that she has the right experience and knowledge-base to elevate our game day program,” said Athletics Director Joel Mrak. “She has fit in with our team seamlessly and is a nice addition to the Griffins.”
Starting in 2018, Zandstra worked for more than four years for the Oilers Entertainment Group as Game Presentation Coordinator. While there, she executed contests, managed hosts, hired and managed the Orange and Blue Ice Crew, as well as managing the band, anthem singer and facilitating the mascot schedule.
She also spent a year with the Edmonton Elks as Game Presentation Specialist, responsible for floor directing all home games, managing a team of 15 part-time staff, executing game activities, booking half-time shows and more.
Through the plethora of high-level experience that she brings to Griffins Athletics, Zandstra will help improve the game experience for #GriffNation fans.
“Obviously, it’s a lot different working on a smaller scale (than with the pro teams), but I’m able to see where there can easily be things you can build out, which is very exciting,” said Zandstra. “It’s great to think about where we can build things out and make our games a lot more exciting for the fans to come to.”
Prior to moving to Edmonton, Zandstra also worked in promotions at various radio stations for Bell Media, where she gained first-hand experience running contests, creating campaigns and building community engagement.
“I was a radio announcer at one point in time, too, so I’ve done a little bit of everything, which I think is really fun coming into this job and getting to do a little bit of everything again here, too, where I’m able to use my experience to bring a community and new feel to the games.”
Already in the role for more than a month, Zandstra has been busy preparing for the upcoming Canada West season and meeting various stakeholders.
“I think just building a community around our teams (is my goal),” she said. “There’s lots of appetite from the students to get more involved with Griffins Athletics. And in talking with different departments around the campus already, there’s lots of enthusiasm to partner with Griffins Athletics.
“I think just trying to build a community around our teams and have lots of people come out to the games and cheer everybody on is going to be exciting.”
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