San Diego State director of athletics John David Wicker announced the addition of Ayo Taylor-Dixon to SDSU’s executive staff as the deputy athletic director for strategic communications and brand advancement on Jan. 9, 2024.
In his role, Taylor-Dixon will oversee the Aztecs marketing, media relations, social media and video/broadcast areas, while collaborating with all revenue generating units, including Aztec Club, Legends and the ticket office. One of five deputy ADs under Wicker, Taylor-Dixon will also serve as the primary administrator responsible for the relationship with San Diego State’s JMI Sports partners.
Taylor-Dixon comes to SDSU after spending the last six-plus years at Georgia Tech as senior associate athletics director for external operations. In his role, he oversaw Georgia Tech’s communications/public relations, ideation and marketing/fan experience operations, while serving as the administrator for several sports. Taylor-Dixon also has experience overseeing ticket sales and operations, licensing, branding, sponsorships and broadcasting.
“I’m excited to welcome Ayo to The Mesa,” said Wicker. “He arrives at a dynamic time for the department, and I look forward to him leveraging his years of experience to capture the momentum of this moment and creatively turn it into something special for our student athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans.”
"I am grateful for the opportunity that JD and the search committee have provided me,” said Taylor-Dixon. “San Diego State's exceptional program has demonstrated its dedication to providing an outstanding experience for student-athletes. My family and I are excited to become a part of the Aztec family and fully immerse ourselves in the community. I am eager to contribute to the continued growth and development of the program."
Taylor-Dixon came to Georgia Tech from Minnesota, where he served as senior associate A.D. for fan engagement from March 2016-August 2017. At Minnesota, he oversaw the Golden Gophers’ marketing, gameday experience/season ticket member surveys, gameday customer service and licensing operations.
He also served as the 2017-18 president of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA).
Prior to his 17 months at Minnesota, Taylor-Dixon served on the administrative staffs at Northern Colorado (senior associate athletics director - 2014-16), USF (senior associate athletics director - 2006-14) and Evansville (assistant athletics director - 2002-06).
Taylor-Dixon was a member of the track and field team and the student-athlete advisory committee at Stephen F. Austin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2000 and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with emphases on business, communications and kinesiology in 2002.
He and his wife, Beth, have four children - Isabelle, Gracelynn, Ayo, Jr. and Femi.
In his role, Taylor-Dixon will oversee the Aztecs marketing, media relations, social media and video/broadcast areas, while collaborating with all revenue generating units, including Aztec Club, Legends and the ticket office. One of five deputy ADs under Wicker, Taylor-Dixon will also serve as the primary administrator responsible for the relationship with San Diego State’s JMI Sports partners.
Taylor-Dixon comes to SDSU after spending the last six-plus years at Georgia Tech as senior associate athletics director for external operations. In his role, he oversaw Georgia Tech’s communications/public relations, ideation and marketing/fan experience operations, while serving as the administrator for several sports. Taylor-Dixon also has experience overseeing ticket sales and operations, licensing, branding, sponsorships and broadcasting.
“I’m excited to welcome Ayo to The Mesa,” said Wicker. “He arrives at a dynamic time for the department, and I look forward to him leveraging his years of experience to capture the momentum of this moment and creatively turn it into something special for our student athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans.”
"I am grateful for the opportunity that JD and the search committee have provided me,” said Taylor-Dixon. “San Diego State's exceptional program has demonstrated its dedication to providing an outstanding experience for student-athletes. My family and I are excited to become a part of the Aztec family and fully immerse ourselves in the community. I am eager to contribute to the continued growth and development of the program."
Taylor-Dixon came to Georgia Tech from Minnesota, where he served as senior associate A.D. for fan engagement from March 2016-August 2017. At Minnesota, he oversaw the Golden Gophers’ marketing, gameday experience/season ticket member surveys, gameday customer service and licensing operations.
He also served as the 2017-18 president of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA).
Prior to his 17 months at Minnesota, Taylor-Dixon served on the administrative staffs at Northern Colorado (senior associate athletics director - 2014-16), USF (senior associate athletics director - 2006-14) and Evansville (assistant athletics director - 2002-06).
Taylor-Dixon was a member of the track and field team and the student-athlete advisory committee at Stephen F. Austin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2000 and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with emphases on business, communications and kinesiology in 2002.
He and his wife, Beth, have four children - Isabelle, Gracelynn, Ayo, Jr. and Femi.