THE INSTITUTE FOR DIVERSITY AND
ETHICS IN SPORT
the institute for diversity and ethics in sport
Ashley turner
associate director
Ashley Turner is currently the Director of External Affairs and Partnerships for the DeVos Sport Business Management Graduate Program at the University of Central Florida. In her role, she works closely with industry leaders to develop partnerships that provide students with industry experience and the partners with consultation for business challenges. As well, as works to place the next generation of sport business leaders in career opportunities.
Prior to joining UCF, Ashley led the Orlando Magic’s premium activation efforts for the six years, responsible for effectively leading her team while executing an operative year-round customer service strategy that maximizes revenue. She worked closely with her team to deliver world-class service to all premium partners while implementing short- and long-term retention strategies that increased fan affinity and continued to strengthen the Orlando Magic brand.
Preceding her time with the Orlando Magic in 2011, Ashley worked at the legendary Madison Square Garden as part of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers’ first ever dedicated retention team where she learned best practices in client services and managed over $9.1M in revenue. Additionally, Ashley participated in the internal execution team responsible for the relocation of all-season ticket holders into the renovated facility.
Turner received her M.B.A and a Masters in Sports Management from the DeVos Sport Business program at the University of Central Florida. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from SUNY Buffalo, where she was a captain on the women’s soccer team.
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ERIka Hodges
Media contact
Erika Hodges leads the communications and marketing efforts for UCF’s next-generation business school with its more than 8,500 students and promoting the college’s culture of engagement along with its faculty, students, alumni and partners. In addition, she serves as a member of the communications and marketing team for one of the nation’s largest universities.
Hodges joined UCF in 2016 from Health First in Brevard County, where she was responsible for public relations for the non-profit health care system that included four hospitals, a health plan, medical group and outpatient services. Prior to Health First, Hodges spent nine years at Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) first as a public information coordinator and then as corporate communications manager. She also has worked in media relations and communications for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League and as a sports copy editor for Florida Today. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Florida.
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David L. Zimmerman
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
David Zimmerman is a graduate of the DeVos Sport Business Management program at UCF where he was a Graduate Assistant for Dr Richard Lapchick. He is now the Editor-in-Chief and responsible for the operations and continuity of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES). The Institute researches and publishes a variety of studies, including annual studies of student-athlete graduation rates and racial attitudes in sports, as well as the internationally recognized Racial and Gender Report Card, an assessment of hiring practices in coaching and sport management in professional and college sport.
David Zimmerman is also the Director of Logistics for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida. He is responsible for the fulfillment, warehousing, distribution, decommissioning and other logistics requirements for the Games.
David served in the Air Force for 24 years as a Contracting Officer and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2018.
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