Alison Mercado bids adieu after two years with Athletics

Alison Mercado will be parting ways with the Athletics Department after two years as the Marketing and Promotions Coordinator. Her time at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville will be coming to a close at the end of this semester. The work that she has done will not be forgotten.
Mercado, a California native, completed her undergraduate degree in telecommunications with an emphasis in sales and promotions from Ball State University in 2013. She applied for a position in Ball State’s athletic department after the department was awarded the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant.
UW-Platteville Athletic Director Mark Molesworth said that the first time he met Mercado he was hit with her high energy and enthusiasm for the field.
“We were looking for someone to spice up the department,” Molesworth said. “She’s really done that. She comes in with a lot of ideas and an open mind. She also brought with her skills with photo and video. In my opinion, those promo pieces that she puts together are as good as the ones you would see on ESPN.”
Athletic Development Coordinator Lindsay Dietmeier said that she and Mercado complement each other well.
“She has a complete passion for what she’s doing and working with,” Dietmeier said. “She puts more time into her job than herself.”
Mercado’s responsibilities included advertising and marketing for all of the athletic events, enhancing ticket sales through community outreach and student involvement, and creating an engaging atmosphere that people remember.
Mercado said that the liberty that Molesworth gave her has really helped in her creativity.
“Mark has given me so much freedom to create and to take ownership of campaigns and projects and that’s really fulfilling,” Mercado said.
Mercado said that the most challenging aspect of her position is having to turn down certain requests.
“As marketing or fundraising support services, it’s your job to help,” Mercado said. “So saying no is really hard. But also, if you do say yes, being able to manage your time so that you can complete everything you said you would is important.”
With Justin Bohn stepping down as Sports Information Director earlier this semester, there have been changes to the workload of some individuals within the department. Mercado said that she has had a few added responsibilities but has not seen too much of a change regarding her work.
“It hasn’t really affected me as much as the others, like the coaches,” Mercado said. “I’ve had to make sure social media feeds are up to date and relevant, and I’ve also done some of the script writing.”
Molesworth and Dietmeier both said they will miss Mercado and the work she has done within the department.
“It’s been a great two years,” Molesworth said. “It’s going to be hard to carry on her progress without her. Whoever gets her next is going to be very lucky.”
Mercado said that she has enjoyed her time in Platteville and with the university and can not wait to see what her next great adventure will be.
“She really just makes life fun,” Dietmeier said. “She’s going to be very missed.”
Mercado was recognized for her time with the athletic department at the annual end of the year banquet. She received a standing ovation.