Handelsman Hired as New General Manager of Basketball
8/5/2024 11:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON - George Washington Athletics has named Cooper Handelsman as the department's first General Manager of Basketball, Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel announced on Monday.
"GW is working to position all of its sports programs to be able to best take advantage of NIL opportunities," Vogel said. "Cooper will be focusing on how best to optimize GW's resources including its alumni, fans and donors to provide opportunities for our men's and women's basketball programs while learning more about how to build out GW's NIL program for all current and future student-athletes."
The new-age position aligns GW with best practices showcased across Division I and furthers the department's commitment to build and sustain programs that mirror the overall excellence of the University. Handelsman will support both Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Caputo and Women's Basketball Head Coach Caroline McCombs in managing responsibilities that impact both programs, serving as primary liaison between the Department and other key campus areas, including opportunities and relationship and community building, leadership development, and experiential marketing in partnership with University Advancement.
"As we continue to develop our program to compete at the highest levels of college basketball, it's important that we have a General Manager in place to help navigate the changing landscape," Caputo said. "Cooper's experience in college basketball as a player, coach and administrator combined with his experience in grassroots basketball prepares him well to take on this challenge."
"We are excited to have Cooper overseeing our program and working with our student-athletes in the NIL arena, McCombs added. "He is very familiar with our women's basketball team, understands D.C. and GW and the value this can add for everyone here."
The position, which reports directly to the Director of Athletics, will work with Athletic Development and Corporate Partnerships to enhance NIL opportunities and serves as the primary point of contact with all revenue generation units on campus to build high-quality experiences for student-athletes and fans alike. Handelsman will also represent the programs as the point of contact for all capital projects.
"I couldn't be more excited for this new opportunity," Handlesman said. "With the changing landscape of college athletics, the university was forward-thinking in the creation of this position that will greatly benefit our student-athletes in the men's and women's basketball programs. I cannot wait to work with the student-athletes, coaches and community to continue to build GW Basketball."
Handelsman was one of Coach Caputo's first hires at GW in April of 2022, serving as the program's Director of Basketball Operations the last two seasons. He added an Assistant Coach title and responsibilities to his duties prior to the 2023-24 season. In his role, he has been responsible for the team's scheduling and travel arrangements and helped assist in securing team needs in regards to equipment, academics, ticketing and communications. On the court, he was tasked with assisting in special situations and late-game scenarios.
Handelsman graduated from Kenyon College in 2015 with a degree in Economics and previously spent time on the staffs at Lehigh and Brown in addition to spending three years as the Director of Hoop Group Elite.
"GW is working to position all of its sports programs to be able to best take advantage of NIL opportunities," Vogel said. "Cooper will be focusing on how best to optimize GW's resources including its alumni, fans and donors to provide opportunities for our men's and women's basketball programs while learning more about how to build out GW's NIL program for all current and future student-athletes."
The new-age position aligns GW with best practices showcased across Division I and furthers the department's commitment to build and sustain programs that mirror the overall excellence of the University. Handelsman will support both Men's Basketball Head Coach Chris Caputo and Women's Basketball Head Coach Caroline McCombs in managing responsibilities that impact both programs, serving as primary liaison between the Department and other key campus areas, including opportunities and relationship and community building, leadership development, and experiential marketing in partnership with University Advancement.
"As we continue to develop our program to compete at the highest levels of college basketball, it's important that we have a General Manager in place to help navigate the changing landscape," Caputo said. "Cooper's experience in college basketball as a player, coach and administrator combined with his experience in grassroots basketball prepares him well to take on this challenge."
"We are excited to have Cooper overseeing our program and working with our student-athletes in the NIL arena, McCombs added. "He is very familiar with our women's basketball team, understands D.C. and GW and the value this can add for everyone here."
The position, which reports directly to the Director of Athletics, will work with Athletic Development and Corporate Partnerships to enhance NIL opportunities and serves as the primary point of contact with all revenue generation units on campus to build high-quality experiences for student-athletes and fans alike. Handelsman will also represent the programs as the point of contact for all capital projects.
"I couldn't be more excited for this new opportunity," Handlesman said. "With the changing landscape of college athletics, the university was forward-thinking in the creation of this position that will greatly benefit our student-athletes in the men's and women's basketball programs. I cannot wait to work with the student-athletes, coaches and community to continue to build GW Basketball."
Handelsman was one of Coach Caputo's first hires at GW in April of 2022, serving as the program's Director of Basketball Operations the last two seasons. He added an Assistant Coach title and responsibilities to his duties prior to the 2023-24 season. In his role, he has been responsible for the team's scheduling and travel arrangements and helped assist in securing team needs in regards to equipment, academics, ticketing and communications. On the court, he was tasked with assisting in special situations and late-game scenarios.
Handelsman graduated from Kenyon College in 2015 with a degree in Economics and previously spent time on the staffs at Lehigh and Brown in addition to spending three years as the Director of Hoop Group Elite.
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