The Rochester Rattlers announced today the hiring of Brad Ford as their new Chief Operating Officer. His responsibilities will include overseeing the team’s day to day operations, marketing, ticket sales department, creative, game day operations, fan development, community relations and all corporate partnerships.
“It’s a great honor and an exciting opportunity to become a member of one of the charter teams in Major League Lacrosse,” Ford said. “Lacrosse has been one of the fastest growing sports in the Western New York region over the last decade, and the MLL is where the best players play. The Rattlers are essential in the continued growth and exposure of the sport locally for both the youth athlete and the dedicated lacrosse fan.”
As a part of Rochester’s professional sports landscape, Ford spent almost 7 years as the Director of Ticket Operations for the Rochester Americans Hockey Club & Rochester Knighthawks Lacrosse team. As a member of the front office during both the 1996 Americans Calder Cup Championship and the Knighthawks 1997 MILL World Championship, Ford led their ticket department to record game attendance, group ticket sales and season ticket membership.
Ford has also spent almost 9 years as the Director of Marketing for the Anheuser Busch family of brands in the Rochester region in addition to working in the entertainment industry, advertising and real estate acqisition and management.
Ford continued, “Rochester has always been a strong, supportive city of its’ professional teams with some of the most dedicated and unwavering fans in any sports town. I take my role very serious in not only providing a great fan experience at our games, but a renewed interest and connection between our franchise and all lacrosse fans in our region. In this sport nationwide, there is no higher level for lacrosse than MLL.”
The Rattlers franchise is an original member of Major League Lacrosse since it’s inaugural season in 2001. The Rattlers won the league championship in 2008 and are currently coached by US Lacrosse Hall of Famer and Rochester area resident Tim Soudan. The Rattlers play their home games at Sahlen’s Stadium in downtown Rochester.
Mr. Ford is a graduate of St. John Fisher College in Pittsford NY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. He resides in Fairport NY with his wife Ashley, son Lucas & daughter Madison.
