11/9/2026 12:00:00 PM | General
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly Director of Athletics Carter Henderson has announced the addition of Brian Hanna as Assistant Athletic Director for Development. Hanna joins Cal Poly Athletics in November 2026.
Hanna brings nearly four years of experience in collegiate athletics fundraising and donor engagement to San Luis Obispo. He previously served at Creighton University, where he progressed through three roles in athletic development, most recently as Director of Development. During his time at Creighton, Hanna secured more than $5.8 million in new cash and pledge commitments and contributed to three consecutive years of record-breaking athletics fundraising.
“Brian is an outstanding addition to Cal Poly Athletics and our development team,” said Uri Farkas, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development. “He brings a strong record of building meaningful donor relationships, generating philanthropic support, and helping programs reach ambitious fundraising goals. His experience, energy, and commitment to student-athlete success will be invaluable as we continue advancing Director of Athletics Carter Henderson’s vision for a nationally competitive, sustainable, and well-resourced Cal Poly Athletics program.”
Hanna played an integral role in the growth of Creighton’s Champions Circle, the philanthropic arm of Creighton Athletics. During the 2025-26 academic year, Champions Circle revenue increased 111 percent year over year to $7 million, contributing to the highest fundraising total in department history. He also helped restructure men’s basketball premium seating, ticket pricing, and annual giving levels, while facilitating the relaunch of pipeline development through the Varsity Club, the official network for former Bluejay student-athletes and letterwinners.
Before beginning his career in athletic development, Hanna spent four years as a student manager for the Creighton men’s basketball program from 2018 through 2022, assisting with the program’s day-to-day operations.
A native of Bellevue, Nebraska, Hanna earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Creighton’s Heider College of Business in 2022 and his MBA from Creighton in 2026. His wife, Madeleine, will join him in San Luis Obispo while she completes her law degree at Creighton, which she’s set to finish in May 2027.
“I am so grateful to be joining the Mustang family,” Hanna said. “Maddy and I are thrilled to get to San Luis Obispo, meet the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and supporters, and help build on the incredible momentum across Cal Poly Athletics under Carter and Uri’s leadership.”
