STANFORD, Calif. – Jessica Riden, Stanford track and field's director of operations, has been given a new title -- Assistant Athletics Director.
Riden, in her third year at Stanford, has been skilled in all areas of track and field management. She has served as director of high-profile home meets such as this year's Pac-12 Championships and Combined Events meets, and the Payton Jordan Invitational, which annual serves as the nation's top distance running carnival. She also organizes and manages the Stanford Invitational track and cross country meets, which draw more than 3,000 athletes to each event – the Stanford Invite track meet has 29 hours of competition over two days and the cross country meet consists of 14 races, and is one of the premier high school meets in the state.
"This is a much deserved recognition of Jess's incredible work," said Chris Miltenberg, Stanford's Franklin P. Johnson Director of Track and Field. "The spectrum of things she takes on is astounding, ranging from directing some of the best track meets in the world, managing the entire brand of our program both internally and externally, and keep our entire operation moving forward at a world-class level every day."
Riden also coordinates travel and manages the day-to-day aspects of running the track and field operation, and provides much of the program's social media content.
"Jess's vision and ability to anticipate things several steps down the road are second to none," Miltenberg said. "She is a crucial part of the success of our entire program and a key driver in our future. She has set the standard for the entire sport for what this role can be in track and field."
Riden, a native of Reedsville, Pennsylvania, came to Stanford after serving for nine years on the track and field staffs at Washington and Penn State, where she ran as an undergrad.
"I am truly honored and thankful to have been given the opportunity to represent Stanford as an Assistant Athletics Director," Riden said. "I would like to thank Bernard Muir and Patrick Dunkley for the support of our program, their confidence in me, as well as the opportunity to continue grow within the athletic department. I would also like to thank Coach Chris Miltenberg in bringing me on board several years ago, and allowing me to take on a position I am passionate about, and continue to mold the role to best meet the needs of our program.
"I hope to use this opportunity to continue to support Coach Miltenberg in managing one of the top track and field programs in the nation, and continue to build on the great tradition of our home competitions as some of the top events on U.S. soil, both collegiately and professionally."