Collegiate marketer Learfield named Harold “Rocky” Vonachen general manager for Bradley Sports Properties, its locally based team dedicated to representing the Bradley University Braves, in September 2018 and he is in his third year working with the university’s long-time athletics multimedia rights holder.
Vonachen, a recognized leader within the Peoria business community for over 35 years, graduated from Bradley in 1981. He spent the previous 24 years with the city’s Minor League Baseball organization, the Peoria Chiefs. Vonachen served as president of the baseball club from 1996 to January 2018 and general manger from 1994-96. Early in his career, Vonachen owned and operated several namesake businesses in Peoria and Normal. Prior to joining the Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball Club, LLC, he served three years as manager of business development for OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Vonachen manages all aspects of Learfield IMG College's Bradley Sports Properties, including overseeing the university’s comprehensive athletics rights which include signage, television, radio, digital and the corporate partner program.
An industry leader for more than four decades, Learfield IMG College has a deep presence in the college athletics landscape nationwide. In addition to Bradley, the company manages the multimedia rights and sponsorship initiatives for nearly 130 collegiate properties, Learfield IMG College provides its partners access to professional concessions and ticket sales; branding, licensing and trademark consulting; digital and social platform expertise; campuswide business and sponsorship development; and venue and technology systems through its affiliated companies.