Photo by: Chattanooga FC
Men’s Basketball Hall of Famer Alton Byrd ‘79CC Named Chattanooga FC CEO
7/24/2023 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Byrd is the Lions’ all-time assists leader
Chattanooga, Tenn. — Chattanooga FC announced the appointment of global sports executive and Columbia Athletics Hall of Famer Alton Byrd '79CC as its next Chief Executive Officer, positioning the club for exponential growth midway through its 15th season in Chattanooga and its third full season as a professional club.
Byrd was inducted into the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 after a brilliant career for the Lions' men's basketball program. In 1977, Byrd was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year after his first varsity season. The point guard would go on to receive first team All-Ivy League recognition in his three seasons at Columbia.
Despite only playing three varsity seasons from 1976-79, Byrd still holds the career and single season records for assists. His 210 and 193 assists rank first and second all-time in a single season, while his 526 career assists are in a world of its own.
A three-year captain, Byrd was awarded the Frances Naismith Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, given to the nation's top collegiate player under six feet tall, elected after his senior season.
The CFC men's team is currently undefeated, sitting in first place, and leading attendance in the National Independent Soccer Association. Byrd has accumulated over 30 years of sports and brand marketing experience as a European professional basketball player, head coach, general manager, entrepreneur and business executive. In his new role at CFC, he will put a special focus on growing the club, investing more resources into the community and creating a high-performing team on and off the field.
Byrd most recently served as senior vice president of growth properties and community relations for BSE Global, which owns the Brooklyn Nets, Long Island Nets (NBA G League), New York Liberty (WNBA), and Nets Gaming Crew (NBA 2K League Esports). In this role, he was recognized among the best in the NBA G League for community engagement and spearheaded marketing deals with some of the most iconic brands in America. Before his senior vice president role at BSE Global, he was chief revenue officer with the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA where he achieved the highest level of sponsorship in team history.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
About Chattanooga Football Club
Chattanooga Football Club was founded in 2009. The CFC Men's team competes in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), which is in the third division of professional soccer. The CFC Women's team is a summer amateur team that competes in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Chattanooga Football Club became the first soccer club to offer true ownership to the fans in 2019 with 3,200+ investors from Chattanooga, all 50 states, and 31 countries. CFC plays all home games in Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
Congratulations @AltonByrd #RoarLionRoar https://t.co/FBGZMJRoij
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) July 22, 2023
Byrd was inducted into the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 after a brilliant career for the Lions' men's basketball program. In 1977, Byrd was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year after his first varsity season. The point guard would go on to receive first team All-Ivy League recognition in his three seasons at Columbia.
Despite only playing three varsity seasons from 1976-79, Byrd still holds the career and single season records for assists. His 210 and 193 assists rank first and second all-time in a single season, while his 526 career assists are in a world of its own.
A three-year captain, Byrd was awarded the Frances Naismith Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, given to the nation's top collegiate player under six feet tall, elected after his senior season.
The CFC men's team is currently undefeated, sitting in first place, and leading attendance in the National Independent Soccer Association. Byrd has accumulated over 30 years of sports and brand marketing experience as a European professional basketball player, head coach, general manager, entrepreneur and business executive. In his new role at CFC, he will put a special focus on growing the club, investing more resources into the community and creating a high-performing team on and off the field.
Our new CEO @AltonByrd greeted fans walking into Finley Stadium on Saturday. #BetterTogether #CFC2023 #15Seasons pic.twitter.com/Zwv2h2jAxP
— Chattanooga Football Club (@ChattanoogaFC) July 24, 2023
Byrd most recently served as senior vice president of growth properties and community relations for BSE Global, which owns the Brooklyn Nets, Long Island Nets (NBA G League), New York Liberty (WNBA), and Nets Gaming Crew (NBA 2K League Esports). In this role, he was recognized among the best in the NBA G League for community engagement and spearheaded marketing deals with some of the most iconic brands in America. Before his senior vice president role at BSE Global, he was chief revenue officer with the Atlanta Dream of the WNBA where he achieved the highest level of sponsorship in team history.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
About Chattanooga Football Club
Chattanooga Football Club was founded in 2009. The CFC Men's team competes in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), which is in the third division of professional soccer. The CFC Women's team is a summer amateur team that competes in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Chattanooga Football Club became the first soccer club to offer true ownership to the fans in 2019 with 3,200+ investors from Chattanooga, all 50 states, and 31 countries. CFC plays all home games in Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.
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