Drew Gwerder joined the Cal State Bakersfield Athletics Department in June of 2026, serving the Roadrunners as the Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Fan Engagement. In his new role, Gwerder will lead CSUB Athletics’ marketing and fan engagement strategy, with an emphasis on enhancing the game day experience, growing attendance, strengthening community connections and building energy around the `Runners.
Gwerder joined CSUB after serving as Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications at Cal Poly Humboldt, where he directed communications and marketing efforts for the department, served as the primary media contact for all 13 teams, and oversaw digital, social, and media relations.
Since arriving at Cal Poly Humboldt in October 2022, Gwerder helped guide significant growth across the department’s digital platforms. Under his leadership, Cal Poly Humboldt’s combined social media following increased by more than 24%, helping the department become the California Collegiate Athletic Association leader in total combined social media following and rank fifth among NCAA Division II institutions in the West Region.
Gwerder also introduced a mobile app to drive brand engagement and create a new revenue stream, led a department website redesign, and co-created the Cal Poly Clash, a rivalry brand connecting the two NCAA Division II Cal Poly campuses. The initiative was built to increase attendance, generate fan engagement, and create a marketable annual competition across multiple sports.
In addition to his digital and marketing work, Gwerder launched “Humboldt All-Axess,” a weekly YouTube show produced in partnership with Redwood News that highlighted student-athletes, coaches and departmental successes. The show airs weekly on local television.
He also served as a color commentator for men’s and women’s basketball broadcasts during CCAA Championships and NCAA Tournaments on ESPN Radio, hosted championship events for men’s and women’s soccer, and assisted with marketing and presentation efforts for the Humboldt Athletics Auction, the department’s largest annual fundraiser.
On game days, Gwerder managed in-game and table operations, oversaw live streaming operations and worked closely with community partnerships staff to execute sponsor promotions. He also served as a member of Cal Poly Humboldt’s senior leadership and executive staff teams.
Before his time at Cal Poly Humboldt, Gwerder spent three and a half years at Holy Names University in Oakland, where he worked in the sports information office and managed communications, social media and marketing for all 13 teams. He also assisted with department fundraisers, served as co-adviser for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and co-founded the Bay Area Clásico Cup, a soccer tournament involving three PacWest Conference institutions in the Bay Area.
A native of Elk Grove, Calif., Gwerder attended Holy Names University, earning his Master’s in Education with a concentration in Physical Education in 2022, and his undergraduate degree in Business with a concentration in Sports Management and Marketing in 2019. A former member of the HNU Baseball team, he competed as an Academic All-Conference student-athlete from 2015-19. Gwerder also earned an Intercollegiate Athletics Administration certificate from Ole Miss in the summer of 2025.
