TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil Men's and Women's golf programs have made an addition to the staff prior to the start of the 2019-20 season.
Two-time Arizona State graduate Jessie Stone has been named the Director of Operations for Sun Devil Golf, Head Coaches Matt Thurmond and Missy Farr-Kaye announced earlier this week.
"I am so excited to join two of the top collegiate golf programs and work under Coach Matt Thurmond and Coach Missy Farr-Kaye, both who I have a tremendous amount of respect for," Stone remarked. "The teams are going in so many amazing directions and it's going to be a great year."
Stone has assisted both staffs since June of 2018, now moving into a full-time role helping organize the day-to-day functions of the two programs.
"It's great to have Jessie now supporting both of our Men's and Women's program full-time," Men's Head Coach Matt Thurmond stated. "We are excited to have Jessie Stone join our golf programs as the new Director of Operations," Women's Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye added.
"Jessie will help us continue to grow as one of the best college golf programs in the country," Coach Farr-Kaye mentioned. "She will also assist our staff as we prepare to host the 2020 NCAA Championships."
This past May, Stone received a Master's of Sports Law and Business from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and was given the Professor Rodney K. Smith Founder's Award as the most outstanding Sports Law and Business graduate. Prior to that, she earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis in Ethics from the Cronkite School and a B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Sports Marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business in August of 2017.
"We have a lot happening right now," Coach Thurmond observed. "With our new facility, hosting several big events including the NCAA Championships, and our constant desire to be better and more competitive with everything we do, Jessie does many things that just make it all work and allow the coaches to focus on the things that can take both of our programs to the top."
Part of her duties that she will continue to carry out included assisting with operations during the Thunderbird Pro-Am tournament, the ASU Thunderbird Collegiate tournament, and ASU golf alumni fundraising events. Stone will continue to manage schedules, setting meetings and conference calls, and coordinate travel for both teams.
Stone brings an extensive golf background dating back to when she was the Social Media and Outside Membership Representative at Starfire and Stonecreek Golf Clubs from 2014-2018. In 2017, she was a Sales Representative at PXG. She currently serves LPGA Sales Contractor, aiding the LPGA's operations, marketing, sales, and volunteers for their annual Founder's Cup tournament.
Her experience extends beyond golf, as she was also the Outreach Director for the Graduate and Professional Student Association, helping to provide services to graduate students from 2018–2019. From 2017-2019, she served as a Graduate Assistant at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, directing intramural sports programs at ASU Downtown's Sun Devil Fitness Complex. She was the Director and aided in the creation of The Program, an online digital platform focusing on current issues within the legal and business sectors of sports. While pursuing her undergrad, Stone served as a Marketing Consultant for the City of Mesa.
The addition to the staff becomes official a day after Coach Thurmond announced the promotion of Armen Kirakossian to Associate Head Coach.
"We also have an amazing Volunteer Coach in Howard Twitty starting his second year," Coach Thurmond added "He adds so much to our coaching and player development."
The 2019-20 season is right around the corner, as the Arizona State Men's Golf kicks-off their season on September 13th at the Maui Jim Classic held in Scottsdale at Mirabel Golf Course. The Sun Devil Women's Golf team begins their season in Minnesota at the ANNIKA Invitational presented by 3M, running September 16-18.
Two-time Arizona State graduate Jessie Stone has been named the Director of Operations for Sun Devil Golf, Head Coaches Matt Thurmond and Missy Farr-Kaye announced earlier this week.
"I am so excited to join two of the top collegiate golf programs and work under Coach Matt Thurmond and Coach Missy Farr-Kaye, both who I have a tremendous amount of respect for," Stone remarked. "The teams are going in so many amazing directions and it's going to be a great year."
Stone has assisted both staffs since June of 2018, now moving into a full-time role helping organize the day-to-day functions of the two programs.
"It's great to have Jessie now supporting both of our Men's and Women's program full-time," Men's Head Coach Matt Thurmond stated. "We are excited to have Jessie Stone join our golf programs as the new Director of Operations," Women's Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye added.
Stone will also provide support in preparation for the NCAA Men's and Women's Golf Championships, with Arizona State hosting the event for the next three years (2020-2022) at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale.We are thrilled to announce the addition of Jessie Stone to the Sun Devil Golf staff as the Director of Operations for both the men's and women's program! ?? #ForksUp
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) September 11, 2019
MORE INFO: https://t.co/M4yUku7k1l pic.twitter.com/oOL5j6coY1
"Jessie will help us continue to grow as one of the best college golf programs in the country," Coach Farr-Kaye mentioned. "She will also assist our staff as we prepare to host the 2020 NCAA Championships."
I am so so thankful for this opportunity! @SunDevilWGolf & @sundevilmgolf are two of the best golf program's in the world and I can't wait to continue helping in their successes. Onward and Upward toward hosting the #NCAAChampionships. https://t.co/kYqgmdsJCG
— Jessie Stone (@jessiejstone) September 12, 2019
This past May, Stone received a Master's of Sports Law and Business from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and was given the Professor Rodney K. Smith Founder's Award as the most outstanding Sports Law and Business graduate. Prior to that, she earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis in Ethics from the Cronkite School and a B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Sports Marketing from the W.P. Carey School of Business in August of 2017.
In her support staff role before her promotion to a full-time position, Stone helped the men's and women's teams' transition into a brand-new facility while also planning and implement strategies with the coaches to accelerate the development of Sun Devil Golf. Stone was responsible for managing team travel as well as overseeing the team budgets and practice activities. She attended ASU compliance and Director of Operations meetings in order to better understand and communicate NCAA rules and regulations.Congratulations to @jessiejstone for being honored by her class as this year's MSLB graduate speaker! #ASUSLB #ASULawGradDinner pic.twitter.com/13B0hwFCeN
— ASU Sports Law & Biz (@ASUSportsLawBiz) April 17, 2019
"We have a lot happening right now," Coach Thurmond observed. "With our new facility, hosting several big events including the NCAA Championships, and our constant desire to be better and more competitive with everything we do, Jessie does many things that just make it all work and allow the coaches to focus on the things that can take both of our programs to the top."
Part of her duties that she will continue to carry out included assisting with operations during the Thunderbird Pro-Am tournament, the ASU Thunderbird Collegiate tournament, and ASU golf alumni fundraising events. Stone will continue to manage schedules, setting meetings and conference calls, and coordinate travel for both teams.
Stone brings an extensive golf background dating back to when she was the Social Media and Outside Membership Representative at Starfire and Stonecreek Golf Clubs from 2014-2018. In 2017, she was a Sales Representative at PXG. She currently serves LPGA Sales Contractor, aiding the LPGA's operations, marketing, sales, and volunteers for their annual Founder's Cup tournament.
Her experience extends beyond golf, as she was also the Outreach Director for the Graduate and Professional Student Association, helping to provide services to graduate students from 2018–2019. From 2017-2019, she served as a Graduate Assistant at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, directing intramural sports programs at ASU Downtown's Sun Devil Fitness Complex. She was the Director and aided in the creation of The Program, an online digital platform focusing on current issues within the legal and business sectors of sports. While pursuing her undergrad, Stone served as a Marketing Consultant for the City of Mesa.
The addition to the staff becomes official a day after Coach Thurmond announced the promotion of Armen Kirakossian to Associate Head Coach.
"We are functioning at a pretty high-level right now as a staff," Coach Thurmond reflected. "I'm settled into my fourth year, Armen is in his third, and now we have great administrative help with Jessie coming back for her second year."Congrats to @Akirakossian ! https://t.co/zbiBFjFnGK pic.twitter.com/A5g4jXleud
— Sun Devil Men's Golf (@sundevilmgolf) September 11, 2019
"We also have an amazing Volunteer Coach in Howard Twitty starting his second year," Coach Thurmond added "He adds so much to our coaching and player development."
The 2019-20 season is right around the corner, as the Arizona State Men's Golf kicks-off their season on September 13th at the Maui Jim Classic held in Scottsdale at Mirabel Golf Course. The Sun Devil Women's Golf team begins their season in Minnesota at the ANNIKA Invitational presented by 3M, running September 16-18.