SBCC names Jerry Hannula as Interim Athletic Director

Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that Mr. Jerry Hannula has been selected to serve as Interim Athletic Director.

Originally from Morro Bay, Calif, Hannula earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Information from the University of Southern California with an emphasis in public relations, and a master’s degree in kinesiology from California State University Long Beach with an emphasis in sport management.

Hannula brings to SBCC 33 years of experience working in community college athletics, which included stops at El Camino and Cuesta colleges before spending the past 29 years at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif, where he was the assistant athletic director for 15 years before retiring in May of 2020. He wore many hats at Saddleback, handling sports information duties such as game statistics and website updates; eligibility specialist duties such as processing student-athlete eligibility and weekly enrollment checks; and athletic administration duties such as game management, fundraising and student-athlete academic success programs.

It was during his time at Saddleback College that Hannula also held several leadership positions and committee assignments in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). He served as the president of the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA), and received several awards for excellence in writing from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

In a recent email interview, he reflected on his career path, which began at El Camino College in 1987. “I realized I really loved working with students and coaches at the community college level and was fortunate to have been able to make a career out of it. I am looking forward to returning to athletic administration and this opportunity with Santa Barbara City College. I am already familiar with some of the coaches and staff at the college, as well as the conference, and feel very comfortable stepping right into this position.” 

Hannula will begin his assignment on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021.