College Sports Information Directors of America

Chris Theisen, who served six years as Associate Media Relations Director for the Big 12 Conference, has been named assistant athletics director for media relations at the University of Kansas, school officials announced Monday. Theisen, who will begin his duties in early August, will oversee the publicity and promotion of KU athletics, and in particular, the men's basketball team.

"I have known Chris for several years," said Jim Marchiony, associate director of athletics. "He has done terrific work both at the conference level and at the NCAA tournament level. He is a true professional, with outstanding contacts both regionally and nationally. We are delighted to have him join our team."

An original Big 12 staff member who started with the conference as assistant media relations director in July 1996, Theisen was promoted to associate media relations director in February 1998. In his current position, he assists with the publicity and championships management for the conference's 21 sports.

Theisen has been the media coordinator of the Big 12 football championship game, the league's men's basketball tournament, and the past three NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament first/second rounds hosted by the Big 12. Additionally, he has worked numerous bowl and NCAA events including the past eight NCAA Men's Final Fours.

A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., Theisen came to the Big 12 via the Big Eight Conference, where he served in the media relations department from October 1993 until the league closed its doors in June 1996. Prior to the Big Eight he was an assistant sports information director at Kansas State University from July 1991 until October 1993.

A 1991 graduate of Oklahoma State University, Theisen spent three years as a student assistant in the OSU sports information office. During the 1989-90 academic year, he was the service bureau intern at the Big Eight and also interned at The Oklahoman during the summer of 1989.

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