Rene Henry is a pioneer in sports marketing and management, beginning in the mid-50s as West Virginia University’s sports information director and building a career that reached the global stage when he directed the international media activities that secured the 1984 Olympic Games for the City of Los Angeles.

Along the way, he has succeeded in virtually every aspect of the business as author, director and advisor. Now, he will return to Morgantown on Jan. 22 to share his knowledge of sport management, marketing, packaging, and promotion at the recreational, collegiate, and professional level.

“Rene Henry offers an expert view on the critical role of public affairs and strategic planning within sports on a global scale,” explains Dr. Gonzalo Bravo, assistant professor of Sport Management. “Henry’s knowledge in the industry spans five decades and includes Olympic, international, collegiate, professional, and recreational sports,”

“He is one of the foremost authorities on organization, management, planning, and promotion of sports,” Bravo said.

Henry was WVU’s SID from 1954 to 1956. Later on, he established the first full service international sports marketing division in a U.S. public relations agency. Henry also produced, wrote and directed numerous “how to” sports films.

He has served as tournament director and chief operating officer for the FIFA World Youth Cup. His clients have included various associations and organizations seeking to secure Olympic, World Cup and World Championship tournaments in a wide range of sport fields. Henry also found time to serve as a volunteer assistant to the president of the U.S. Olympic Committee and as a special advisor to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for many years.

Henry also has written several books, including Communicating in a Crisis: A guide for management (2008), and Offsides! Fred Wyant’s provocative look inside the NFL (2001).

Henry’s presentation, entitled “The Organization and Politics of International Sport,” will be held Friday, Jan. 22 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. in room 172 at Coliseum. The event is sponsored by WVU’s College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Sport Management major, and is open to students, faculty, and staff along with the general public. Refreshments will be served.

-WVU-

01/11/10

CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
304-293-0827, Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu