Daron Jones was named Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations in 2022, after spending the prior six years as Director of External Engagement. Jones also spent 10 years working as a member of the Wisconsin Athletics event management staff from 2006-16.
In this position, Jones is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of services and enhancements impacting the fan experience. This includes the oversight of operational components such as guest services, event security, accessibility assistance and venue information centers.
Wisconsin Athletics hosts events for the Badgers’ 23 intercollegiate teams, concerts, university functions and WIAA State High School Championships. Jones coordinates the staffing, planning, and implementation for both athletic department and external events which annually amount to 500 events averaging nearly two million guests across seven athletic department venues.
Jones additionally manages a set of programs and initiatives that include the athletic department facility tour program and the evolution of the Badgers app. He is also responsible for the department’s event emergency management preparedness and he serves on the planning and design committee for several of the department’s capital projects. Jones was a co-chair for the Wisconsin Athletics Fan Advisory Committee and managed the experience program.
A former football student manager at Wisconsin, Jones also served in a part-time role as the Game Production Coordinator for the Rose Bowl Game for 11 years.
A native of Deerfield, Wis., Jones graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a political science degree in 2003 and earned his master’s in sport administration from the University of Louisville in 2005. Jones and his wife, Amy, currently live in Waunakee, Wis., with their daughter, Palmer.
Updated: May 27, 2022
