DAVIS, Calif. - Rocko DeLuca, a veteran athletics administrator with 14 years of experience at the University of Colorado, the Denver Broncos, and for the past six years at the University of Massachusetts, has been named Deputy Athletics Director at UC Davis, it was announced on Monday by Director of Athletics Kevin Blue.

In his new role, DeLuca will oversee external affairs for the Aggies, which includes communications, development, ticket sales, sponsorships, and marketing and event presentations. He has most recently been the Senior Associate Athletics Director and Executive Director of Development at UMass since 2010, serving in several leadership positions, including fundraising, sport program administration and external relations.

"I see great potential in working alongside Kevin and our external team as we build upon a strong foundation," DeLuca said. "We'll be innovative and fan friendly in our approach to creating exciting events and growing our revenues while respecting the values and traditions that personify Aggie Pride."

The breadth and depth of his experience made DeLuca the ideal candidate, Blue said.

"Rocko brings a wealth of superb experience in Div. I athletics to UC Davis," he said. "He is a highly regarded college sports veteran that will strengthen our program to a significant degree as we build for excellence going forward."

UMass, a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, sponsors 21 varsity sports, has 650 student-athletes and a $36 million budget, each of which compares similarly with UC Davis. DeLuca brings experience in university relations, strategic planning, budget design and management, student-athlete life, marketing, project management, and several other areas from UMass.

He has been integral in the planning, design and funding for $75 million in athletic facility projects, has provided leadership for more than $26 million in athletics fundraising - including a $10 million individual gift to UMass Athletics, its largest ever - and was responsible for oversight of all department, university, conference and NCAA compliance.

"Rocko's track record of fundraising and revenue-generating success gives me great confidence that our organizational ability to generate support for our programs will be enhanced substantially," Blue said. "He is a skillful executive and a superb relationship-builder who will make a considerable impact with UC Davis Athletics."

DeLuca was Assistant Athletics Director for Development and Major Gifts at Colorado from 2006-10. Total giving increased significantly to nearly $11 million annually during his tenure and he helped raise $3 million in capital improvements for football and basketball. He was assistant director of the Buff Club at Colorado from 2002-04, adding 1,200 new members and also launched The Stampede Magazine for the organization.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join Kevin Blue's administration and the Aggie Athletics family in what I see as an exciting time for the program," DeLuca said. "I look forward to serving the UC Davis community, the coaches, staff and our student-athletes."

Prior to Colorado, DeLuca was a premium seating executive for the Denver Broncos from 2000-02, managing executive suites and club level sales for Invesco Field (now Sports Authority Field) at Mile High Stadium. He was the sales leader for the highest amount of new club seats sold at $500,000 annually and developed and managed marketing procedures for the ticket office's accounting reports.

DeLuca earned his undergraduate degree in kinesiology from Colorado in 1999 and his master's degree in sports administration from Northern Colorado in 2001. He and his wife Kristin have a daughter, Siena.