Ryan Hastings Named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development
8/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | General
MALIBU, Calif. — Pepperdine Director of Athletics Tanner Gardner has announced the addition of Ryan Hastings as the department's new Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development.
In his role, Hastings oversees all development initiatives, including the Waves Excellence Fund, sport-specific giving, major gift fundraising, and donor events, while building strong relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the University. He will also serve as the sport administrator for Pepperdine Baseball.Â
"We are excited to welcome Ryan and his family to Pepperdine," said Director of Athletics Tanner Gardner. "Ryan is a proven fundraiser and leader who understands the power of relationships and the impact philanthropy can have on the lives of our student-athletes. As we continue to build a championship athletics program rooted in Christian values, academic excellence, and a strong sense of community, Ryan's experience, vision, and passion for serving others make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team."
Hastings brings 15 years of collegiate athletics fundraising and development experience, with a background in major & principal gifts, advancement campaign strategy, planning, execution, and revenue generation.
"This is a transformative time for Pepperdine Athletics," continued Garnder. "With the opening of The Mountain at Mullin Park and Golf Clubhouse, continued investment in our student-athletes, and incredible momentum across our department, we have a unique opportunity to engage our alumni, parents, and friends in shaping the future of Waves Athletics. Ryan has consistently demonstrated the ability to connect people to a greater purpose, and I know he will be instrumental in helping us advance our mission for years to come."
Hastings comes to Malibu after spending the past 11 years at the University of Arizona. He joined the Wildcats in August 2015 as Director of Development before being promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Development in 2021.
"My family and I are incredibly excited to join the Pepperdine community," said Hastings. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with Tanner and his leadership team, as well as my colleagues in University Advancement. Together, I look forward to supporting Pepperdine's student-athletes and coaches while building meaningful relationships with the donors, alumni, and letterwinners who make this university so special. I look forward to helping advance the mission of Pepperdine Athletics, creating opportunities for our student-athletes to thrive, and partnering with our supporters to make an even greater impact."
During his time at Arizona, Hastings secured more than $22 million in philanthropic support since 2015. He managed a portfolio of more than 200 major gift prospects and consistently exceeded annual fundraising goals.
Working closely with athletics leadership, coaching staffs, alumni and community leaders, he aligned fundraising priorities with departmental goals while expanding revenue-generating initiatives to support capital projects and sport-specific needs. Hastings also oversaw Arizona's football skybox program, generating approximately $1 million in annual revenue, and led Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) fundraising initiatives for the baseball program.
Before joining Arizona, Hastings served as Assistant Athletics Director for Development at Eastern Illinois University from 2011-15. There, he led the Panther Club, secured more than $3 million in philanthropic support and negotiated more than $1.5 million in corporate sponsorship agreements.
A native of Mattoon, Illinois, Hastings earned his bachelor's degree in recreation, sport and tourism from the University of Illinois in 2007. During his time at Illinois, he was a four-year letterwinner on the baseball team. He went on to earn his master's degree in sport management in 2008, also from the University of Illinois.Â
ABOUT PEPPERDINE ATHLETICS
Pepperdine University boasts one of the most successful athletic programs in the country for a school of its size. The Waves have claimed 10 NCAA Division I team championships and 26 team or individual national championships in their history. Located in scenic Malibu, California, the university overlooks a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. Pepperdine is a Christian university committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
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