Fordham University Athletics

Ben Rodriguez, Jr., who served as a Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development at Rutgers for the past four years, was named Senior Director of Athletics Development/Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Fordham University in April of 2026.
 
In his new position, Rodriguez will be responsible for planning, managing, and executing athletic fundraising activities supporting the University’s tradition-rich athletics program comprising 22 intercollegiate and 14 club sports.
 
From September of 2022 until April of 2026, Rodriguez was a Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development at Rutgers Athletics' R Fund, leading major gift efforts and supporting donor relations. He focused on cultivating relationships to support student-athletes and oversees fundraising initiatives like the Athletic Excellence Fun
 
Rodriguez oversaw major gift efforts and cultivating new and meaningful relationships with the Rutgers Athletics community. Prior to his arrival at Rutgers, he served as the Assistant Athletics Director of Major Gifts at Georgia Southern and was part of a team that broke several fundraising records in consecutive years, including total dollars raised, total major gift dollars raised, and total number of major gifts. 

During his time in Statesboro, Rodriguez focused on bringing in new revenue streams with 94 percent of his major gifts coming from first-time major gift donors. In addition, Rodriguez collaborated on a $2 million gift to support the construction of a new indoor practice facility, the largest gift in Georgia Southern Athletics history. Rodriguez also led the charge for diversifying Georgia Southern Athletics' donor base, including the first ever major gifts from Black alumni and women alumni, as well as the first ever donor event with the Network of Black Alumni (NOBA). 

Rodriguez also brings experience from Mississippi State University, where he served as the Assistant Athletics Director of Student-Athlete Development, tasked with the holistic growth of all Mississippi State student-athletes. Prior to his time in Starkville, Rodriguez worked at the University of Central Florida in several capacities. He was the Director of Student-Athlete Welfare & Development (2015-2018), Assistant Director of Student Services (2013-2015), and an Intern in the Business Office (2013).