University of St. Thomas Athletics
Men's Cross Country
- Title:
- Senior Associate Athletics Director, Development
- Email:
- benjamin.fraser@stthomas.edu
- Phone:
- 651-962-5909
Ben Fraser joined St. Thomas as the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development in 2020. He was promoted to Deputy Athletic Director for Development and External Affairs in June 2024.
Fraser leads all development efforts for Tommie Athletics, including donor and alumni relations, major gifts, and annual giving. Fraser is implementing a comprehensive strategy for athletics fundraising that includes short, medium, and long-term fundraising plans and programs to meet current and future needs of the athletic department.
Fraser joined the Tommies after spending four seasons at the University of Minnesota. While at Minnesota, he served in two different capacities within the athletics development office. Fraser spent two years as the Director of Annual Giving and Premium Seating before moving into the role of Assistant Athletic Director of Annual Giving and Engagement in September of 2018. As the Assistant Athletic Director of Annual Giving and Engagement, Fraser was responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating annual giving and preferred seating activities for Gopher athletics. He also developed the Gopher Loyalty Program, then a new annual fund program and a first among NCAA Institutions. Additionally, Fraser managed a robust portfolio of major gift prospects and had oversight of the annual fund budget, scholarship seating renewals and donor parking, annual scholarship endowment naming process, and served as the liaison to individual sport booster clubs. Fraser was also a member of the External Relations Committee and oversaw external events, including rentals and special events. He created and co-chaired the Fan Advisory Committee, designed to provide feedback, as well as discuss opportunities and challenges, and collaborate on new ideas for the department.
Prior to his time at Minnesota, Fraser was a member of the University of Wisconsin athletic department for six seasons. He spent the first four years as the Director of Guest Services for the Badgers before moving into the role of Director of External Engagement. During his time in Madison, he played a key role in enhancing the fan experience through the use of mobile applications, oversaw fan experience programming in a number of different venues, as well as training and developing staff.
Fraser previously had a three-year tenure at UW-River Falls as the Assistant Director of Sport Facilities. In that role, Fraser's responsibilities included marketing and promotions, advertisement and sponsorship sales, event management and special events, facility management, and hiring and training student staff.
A 2006 graduate of UW-La Crosse, Fraser was a three-year baseball letter winner. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Sport Administration from Florida State University in 2007.
Fraser and his wife, Danielle, reside in Stillwater, Minn., with their three children (Max, Madelyn, and Audrey).
