ORONO, Maine – Chase Speaks has been named associate athletic director for operations at the University of Maine, as announced by Director of Athletics Jude Killy on Thursday.

Speaks brings with him over 18 years of Division I athletics experience after spending the past 13 years on the operations and athletic facilities staff at Miami University. During his stint at Miami, Speaks expanded his skill set with focuses in game operations, facilities maintenance, scheduling, event management, sports camps, administrative support, and team operations.

"Chase brings with him a wealth of experience in a number of different areas related to day-to-day operations at the Division I level," said Killy. "His vast skill set, efficient approach, and attention to detail will help elevate and add depth to our department. His leadership and expertise is a massive gain for the University. His values align perfectly with our athletics mission and I could not be more excited to bring Chase aboard."

Speaks began his professional stint at Miami in 2012 when he was hired as assistant director of game operations before adding director of camps to his title in 2013. After four years as assistant director, he was elevated to director of athletic facilities and camps in 2015. Speaks spent two years under the title before again earning a promotion when he was named assistant athletic director for intercollegiate camps and athletic facilities management in 2017. Speaks remained in that role from 2017 through the summer of 2025. 

Throughout his time at Miami, Speaks gained significant experience with the day-to-day event management of a variety of sports including football, field hockey, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's track & field, and men's and women's cross country. In addition, Speaks oversaw the equipment operations where he managed a nearly million dollar annual purchasing and promotional budget.

Speaks also managed Miami's budget for capital repairs and replacement while overseeing the master facility schedule for ten athletic venues; a schedule which included daily practice blocks and approximately 425 home varsity competitions and external events per year. 

As the manager of game operations, Speaks served as supervisor for all 19 varsity sports throughout his tenure with the RedHawks. Speaks planned and implemented all game operations, crowd control, and risk management plans while mentoring a team of 25 students, 60 ushers, and 30 support staff members. 

Additionally, Speaks provided direct oversight of Miami's camps program, facilities maintenance and scheduling for revenue generation, review of game contracts, and the management of all external rentals and staffing.

Speaks began his career in athletics as an event management coordinator at Ohio State in 2007, a role he served until 2012. In 2009, Speaks became the Buckeye Sports Camps Coordinator.

Speaks earned his Bachelor of Science in Sport and Leisure Studies with a minor in business from Ohio State in 2009.

-UMaine-