TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton has announced the addition of Guy Rozier as the department's Chief Advancement Officer. Rozier, who comes from his alma mater, the University of Nebraska, will focus on athletics fundraising in his new position, which was created in conjunction with Rensselaer's Office of Institute Advancement.

“We are excited to have Guy join our team,” Knowlton said. “He is a proven leader who has had incredible success throughout his career, and we look forward to seeing him continue to excel here at RPI!”

“I am absolutely thrilled to join the Rensselaer family,” said Rozier. “The opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious institution is very exciting. I am anxious to share my experiences while contributing to the Institute's goals, as well as those of the athletic department.”

Rozier was the assistant director of development for the Nebraska Athletic Department from April 2009 until his appointment in Troy. He was responsible for annual fundraising of $18 million for football, baseball, softball, volleyball and men's and women's basketball, securing premium seating and Capital campaigns as well as special events and aiding with the Life Skills program for the student-athletes.

His accomplishments included playing the lead role in securing numerous donations, most notably the $2.6 million gift from Ndamukong Suh, a first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions, in April 2010. He also assisted in the fundraising expansion of Memorial Stadium, Nebraska's 81,000-seat football stadium to 96,000 seats and 30 additional luxury boxes.

The recipient of dual full scholarships in baseball (centerfield) and football (strong safety), Rozier originally went to Nebraska in 1981, and earned his bachelor's degree in speech communications in 1985.

Playing under Tom Osborne in football, he played in two Orange Bowls, a Sugar Bowl, two national championship games and one Fiesta Bowl. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in high school as a center fielder, Rozier declined a professional baseball opportunity to join his brother, 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier, at Nebraska in 1981.

Immediately following his college graduation, Rozier, who originally hails from Camden, New Jersey, worked with Entertainment Tonight and Eddie Murphy Productions at Paramount Pictures in California before joining the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC).

For more than three years, Rozier traveled internationally as logistics manager for the U.S. Olympic Delegation, where he was responsible for feeding, clothing, housing, transportation, and telecommunication. His team provided support for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, and the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France. They also supported Pan American Games in Sapporo, Japan; Sheffield, England; and Havana, Cuba, as well as two Olympic Festivals.

In 1993, Rozier began working on the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in New Haven, Conn. It was there that he met and married his wife, Edie. Following the World Games, he joined his wife in owning and operating a radio station and various retail outlets in New Haven.

In 2000, Rozier joined the executive business develop team for Marriott International Hotels in Washington, D.C, in the sports segment area, where in 2006 he was major part of the Sales Team of the Year and Sales Team Global for Marriott International Hotels in Baltimore.

Rozier then worked for Baywood Hotels beginning in 2007, pre-opening two hotels in the Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, Md., as the director of marketing and sales before joining his former coach, Dr. Tom Osborne, now the athletic director, at his alma mater.