ROCHESTER, Mich. --Oakland University Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield has named John Ciszewski as associate athletic director for external operations. Ciszewski comes to Oakland after spending four decades working for the Detroit Red Wings/Olympia Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons/Palace Sports and Entertainment. 

"I am thrilled that someone of John's remarkable experience and deep professional roots in the Greater Detroit Metropolitan Area will be joining the athletics department's senior management team," Waterfield said. "His leadership, expertise, and mentorship will transform the important areas he will oversee and elevate Oakland University Athletics." 
 
In his new role with the Golden Grizzlies, Ciszewski will serve as a member of the department's senior leadership in addition to providing leadership, direction and managerial supervision for athletic communications, creative and emerging media, ticket sales and operations, video services, marketing, fan experience, licensing and branding.
 
"After forty plus years in the professional sports and entertainment industry spent with two iconic franchises, I'm excited for the next step in my career, joining Oakland University and pursuing a passion I've always had working with student-athletes," Ciszewski said. "I'm privileged to be asked to join the great staff that Steve has put together."
 
Ciszewski was named the Senior Vice President of Sales for the Detroit Red Wings and Olympia Entertainment in March 2010. In his current role, Ciszewski oversees all aspects of ticket sales for the Red Wings and Olympia Entertainment held at Little Caesars Arena (LCA). He also serves on the leadership committee for marketing, communications, digital media and branding for the Detroit Red Wings.
 
Prior to the opening of LCA, Ciszewski was heavily involved in the design and programming of the premium areas and the season ticket relocation process associated with the transition to the new arena.
 
Before joining the Red Wings and Olympia Entertainment, Ciszewski served as the Executive Vice President of Sales for Palace Sports and Entertainment and headed the department that kept the Detroit Pistons atop the NBA's attendance rankings and made DTE Energy Music Theatre one of the nation's leading outdoor amphitheaters. 
 
During his tenure with Olympia Entertainment and Palace Sports and Entertainment, Ciszewski secured a combined six NCAA basketball events and played an integral role in bringing the Horizon League men's and women's basketball Motor City Madness tournament to Detroit.
 
Ciszewski spent 32 years with Palace Sports and Entertainment and his sales team is credited with many milestones, including seven consecutive years of leading the 32-team NBA in paid ticket sales, 622 sellouts in the first 20 years of the Palace and sellout streaks of 245 and 259 games, respectively. Additionally, Ciszewski and his staff developed several customer service initiatives that have become commonplace in the professional sports landscape.
 
"John's professional accomplishments speak for themselves, but what impresses just as much is John's pride and passion for Oakland University Athletics," Waterfield said. "He realizes Oakland University Athletics' vast potential and possesses a commitment to work with athletics department and University staff, as well as community members, to fulfill this potential."
 
Ciszewski and his wife, Denise, have five daughters and reside in Lake Orion, Mich. Originally from Shadyside, Ohio, Ciszewski has a bachelor's degree from Bethany College in West Virginia and a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University.

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