Kendrick Named 2021 CEFMA Event Manager of the Year

WESTLAKE, Ohio — Brandon Kendrick, director of event management for The University of New Mexico Athletic Department, has been named the 2021 Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association’s Event Manager of the Year, the CEFMA announced Wednesday.

The Event Manger of the Year Award recognizes an athletics administrator who has hosted an inordinate number of events/championships on their campus over the course of the year and strives to enhance the quality of the experience for participating institutions and guests.

Kendrick, who joined the Lobos in October 2018, earns the award after an unusual 2020-21 season in which the Lobos were not able to host any events in the state of New Mexico for the majority of the school year. Kendrick relocated during the pandemic to successfully host remote events for the Lobos.

Kendrick went to Las Vegas, Nev. as a chief member of the administration team that relocated to enable Lobo football to have a season. After spending the football season in Nevada, Kendrick spent time in Texas with both men’s and women’s basketball, hosting games, and then ended up back on campus with just four days to prepare to host baseball games. During these relocations, Kendrick was responsible for handling team and equipment operations, while also leading a team to create a home game atmosphere at these remote locations with signage, banners and television production.

Kendrick has previously served as tournament director for 15 NCAA Championship events and has overseen event and facility operations for teams competing in the NCAA Women’s College Cup, NCAA Women’s College World Series, NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships and the NCAA Water Polo National Championships. In addition, Kendrick helped host the 2021 NCAA Men’s Golf Southwest Regional in Albuquerque this season.