No two days are alike for Fresno State alumnus James Woolsey, whose signature red suit jacket and Bulldog spirit make him a familiar presence in the university’s athletics community.
As associate director of development for the Bulldog Foundation, Woolsey channels that pride into coordinating events, building relationships with donors and raising scholarship funds for Fresno State student-athletes. Sometimes, the job puts him in the same room as professional athletes, including prominent Fresno State alumni.
For Woolsey, a Fresno native and lifelong Bulldogs fan, it’s a fitting career.
“I’m a Valley kid,” Woolsey said. “Both my parents are Fresno State alumni, so growing up, I’ve always had an affinity for sports. I grew up going to football games and loving the stadium and the energy. So when I found out that Fresno State had one of the premier programs for sport administration on the West Coast, it was a no-brainer for me. I applied, and here I am.”
Woolsey earned his bachelor’s degree in sport administration in 2023 and his master’s degree in 2025. He credits Fresno State with giving him the experience and opportunities to pursue a career that combines his interest in business with his passion for sports.
Now, the program that helped launch Woolsey’s career is entering a new era.
Beginning in fall 2026, Fresno State’s Master of Arts in Sport Administration program will transition from a two-year program to an accelerated, one-year format, becoming the first program of its kind in the California State University system.
The three-semester program (fall, spring and summer) prepares students for careers in athletic administration, marketing and communications, fundraising, event management and operations, athlete representation and other areas of the sports industry from the collegiate to professional level. The accelerated format reduces the time and cost of earning a master’s degree while preparing students to enter the workforce.
“As the first one-year sport administration master’s program in the CSU system, we’re rethinking graduate education by aligning it more closely with what students and employers need today – career-focused learning and skill-ready professionals,” said Dr. John McMillen, professor and program director.
Career readiness is at the heart of the program. From Day 1, students gain industry experience, develop professional skills and build connections through applied learning, internships and partnerships with industry professionals. Students also develop a personalized career game plan to help identify and prepare for job opportunities.
“Our goal is for every graduate to leave with more than a degree. We want to equip them with the experience, confidence and professional skills to successfully launch their careers,” McMillen said.
Woolsey’s path is one example.
Before joining the Bulldog Foundation, he gained experience throughout the athletic department. He worked as a manager for the Fresno State men’s basketball team and later as an equipment manager for football. While completing his bachelor’s degree, he became an assistant to the director of football operations.
Then, during his graduate studies, a new opportunity emerged.
Woolsey was recruited for an internship with the Bulldog Foundation, where he gained firsthand experience in athletics development and fundraising. The experience ultimately led to Woolsey being hired full-time as a development coordinator in 2023. Three years later, he was promoted to associate director of development.
Internships remain a core component of the sport administration master’s program, with students completing two semester-long internships, giving them opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom while developing and building connections within the industry.
Today, Woolsey’s career has come full circle. Known as “Mr. Red Friday” on the Bulldog Foundation social media account, Woolsey launched the popular “Red Friday” social media series, which quickly gained a following by offering an inside look at Fresno State athletics paired with opportunities to win tickets to campus sporting events.
In addition to his development responsibilities and social media efforts, he oversees the Bulldog Foundation’s internship program, where he helps current sport administration students gain the same kind of experience that helped launch his own career.
“A common story I’ve heard from my generation is when they go to college and graduate, they don’t know what’s next for them,” Woolsey said. “What’s nice about the sport administration program is that by the time you graduate, you know exactly what’s next. It’s what faculty have been preparing you for throughout the entire program.”
Twenty-two students will make up the inaugural fall cohort of the accelerated master’s program in sport administration. To learn more, visit the program website.
