Baumann, Kirkland Promoted to Assistant Athletic Directors

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Steve Kirkland and Madison Baumann have been promoted to assistant athletic director status, announced Vice President for Athletics/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez.  Kirkland, who joined UNM in 2021, will be Assistant Athletic Director for Communications after previously serving as Director of Communications.  Baumann, who joined UNM in 2011, will be Assistant Athletic Director for Alumni Relations after previously serving as Executive Director of the Alumni Letterman’s Association.

“Both Steve and Madi have excelled in their areas and have proven to be great leaders and communicators,” said Nuñez.  “Madi has been a true Lobo since before I arrived and her contributions as well as her commitment to lifting UNM athletics has been tremendous.  Steve’s impact has been felt around the department since he joined Lobo Athletics. He has elevated our communication team and helped elevate the standard within our department. I’m excited for both to continue moving our department forward in their new roles.”

Kirkland joined UNM in 2021 and has handled communications and media relations for UNM’s nationally-ranked men’s basketball team.  He also handles communications for both of UNM’s nationally-ranked golf programs as well.

In 2022 he served as the Co-Media Coordinator for the NCAA Albuquerque Regional of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships.  He also has overseen UNM’s communications interns and has helped revamp and revise UNM’s digital publications.

Baumann, who has a pair of degrees from UNM, was a member of the Spirit Squad from 2004-08.  In her time at UNM as a member of the administration, she has served as Spirit Coordinator and Community Relations from 2016-22, and she has overseen the Alumni Letterman’s Association.  As assistant A.D. she will have sport oversight of the spirit program while adding additional duties serving as a liaison with campus alumni relations and expanded the Alumni Letterman’s Association.