CLEVELAND, Ga. (November 13, 2024) – The Truett McConnell University athletic department has announced Rachel Gooch, a TMU track and field alum, as the new Director of Athletic Marketing and Communications, effective Wednesday, November 13. Gooch will be working alongside the Vice President for Athletics, Jenni Shepard, and the rest of the TMU Athletic Department faculty and staff.
 
"This position is one of the most important positions within our department," said Coach Shepard. "It is a position which holds great importance promoting our brand, telling the stories of our student-athletes and programs, and most importantly helping to influence others for Christ through athletics at Truett McConnell University."
 
"Rachel is a great example of the quality of students we produce, ones that are driven and have goals, ones who are willing to put in the time and energy to be successful in whatever they do, and ones who use their faith in whatever field they choose for their profession. I am excited to see what new ideas she brings to this role as she continues the excellent work that Sara was able to establish in the growth and success of our brand. Rachel has already proven herself ready for the job covering duties during Sara's maternity leave and managing all game day operations this Fall, and I am excited to watch her establish herself as the new leader of our athletic marketing, sports information, and game day operations departments."
 
"I would like to thank Sara Hardeman for being a great leader to our athletic marketing and sports information departments and for pouring into Rachel by training her in all aspects of the job – a job that I know she is more than ready for and one that she will work tirelessly to provide the high level of personalization our student-athletes have grown to expect. Sara took this department to a new level. She was most recently named the 2023-24 AAC Willie Belcher Sports Information Director of the Year and was a five-year starter for me on the softball field, so while I am proud of all she has accomplished I am also sad that I won't get to continue to work with her." 
 
Gooch, a Griffin, Georgia native spent the 2023-2024 academic year working as the Assistant SID at Truett McConnell, where she assisted in covering all 23 athletic teams. Gooch's position included managing game day operations and content for TMU's athletic websites and social media platforms, as well as the production of press releases, season previews and game recaps.
 
Gooch graduated from Pike County High School in May of 2019, and attended TMU from 2019-2023, where she received her Bachelor's in Business Administration with a Concentration in Sports Management and a minor in the Great Commission. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Business Administration at Truett McConnell. During her time at TMU, Gooch was a four-year collegiate athlete and worked as the head student worker in the Sports Information Department.
 
"I am very excited and honored to have the opportunity to assist in the growth and promotion of the institution that has given so much to me," said Gooch. "Thank you to the Vice President for Athletics, Jenni Shepard, for entrusting me with the responsibilities of this role within the athletic department, and thank you to my former boss, mentor, and friend, Sara Hardeman for helping me acquire the knowledge and direction that has prepared me to perform at a high level within this area of work. Truett McConnell is a special place, and I am grateful to be a part of the TMU family. I look forward to all the success the remainder of the 2024-2025 seasons will bring. Go Bears!"
 
Keep up with the Bears throughout the 2024-2025 season here on tmbears.com and follow us on Facebook (@TMUBears), Instagram (@TMUBears) and X (@TMUBears).