Michigan State Announces Changes in Athletic Equipment Department
7/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
Dave Pruder has been promoted to director of athletic equipment, Malinda Hudkins has been appointed associate director of athletic equipment, and Dylan Marinez has been named head football athletic equipment manager. In addition, assistant equipment manager Juan Moreno, who had previously worked with Olympic sports in Jenison Field House, will now work in the Skandalaris Center with the football team. Veteran Tom Magee will continue working with the hockey program at Munn Ice Arena. Jill Mason, who has been a staff member for MSU Athletics for 16 years, will move from the event management staff to the equipment staff in Jenison Field House.
Longtime head athletic equipment coordinator Bob Knickerbocker, who spent 32 years on the Michigan State athletics staff, previously announced his retirement from MSU, effective June 30.
"The athletic equipment staff plays a vital role in the success of our department," said MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. "They have daily interaction with our student-athletes and coaches and have a pulse for everything going on with our 25 teams.
"Over the last 32 years, Bob Knickerbocker not only led the equipment management team, but had a far-reaching impact within the Athletics Department. Under his leadership, the equipment staff became nationally recognized as a leader in the field. Moving forward, I have great confidence in the entire equipment staff: Dave Pruder, Malinda Hudkins, Dylan Marinez, Juan Moreno, Tom Magee and Jill Mason. They're all well versed in athletic equipment and apparel management as well as innovation and research."
"We're very excited about the future direction of our equipment operation," said MSU Deputy Athletics Directory Greg Ianni. "The group has been together for quite some time under the direction of Bob Knickerbocker and they will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their new positions.
"Dave Pruder has done an outstanding job with the men's basketball program and has been instrumental in helping establish the excellent relationship the department enjoys with apparel and shoe provider, Nike. He is passionate about Michigan State, his profession, and, most important, the student-athletes in our program. Dave will do an outstanding job in this leadership role.
"Malinda Hudkins has always approached her job keeping our student-athletes first and foremost. She has done an excellent job in meeting the needs of those programs that sometimes are not as visible. She has earned this opportunity and will bring a great deal of insight to the equipment management team.
"Dylan Marinez has prepared for his new position since the day Bob Knickerbocker hired him as his assistant in football. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in football equipment management. Dylan loves what he does and brings an enthusiasm to his work that is contagious to all around him."
Pruder has been serving as the equipment manager for the men's basketball team since 1990. A certified equipment manager and a member of the equipment staff since 1989, Pruder has been instrumental with the planning and distribution of equipment for Spartan student-athletes. He received his bachelor's degree in business from Michigan State in 1987, his master's in physical education and exercise science in 1989 and his MBA in 1992.
Hudkins has been working at Michigan State as an assistant equipment manager since 1990. Her sport responsibilities include women's basketball, cross country, golf, rowing, softball, track and field and women's soccer. Hudkins graduated from Michigan State in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in education and earned her master's degree from MSU in 1987 in athletic administration, and worked as a manager for the women's basketball team during her time as an undergraduate and graduate student. She served as a recreation director at the University of Michigan-Flint from 1983-88 and spent two years working as the recreation director at the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia from 1988-90 before joining the athletic equipment staff at MSU in August 1990.
Marinez is entering his 10th season at Michigan State as a football equipment manager. He is responsible for the issuing, inventory and maintenance of all equipment for the football program, and also supervises the student managers. Prior to arriving at MSU, Marinez completed internships with the San Francisco 49ers and was a full-time member of the Detroit Lions equipment staff. Marinez graduated from Michigan State with a bachelor's degree in sociology.
Moreno, who has been an assistant equipment manager at MSU since 2010, is in his sixth year working for Spartan athletics. Before arriving at Michigan State, Moreno was an equipment manager at Georgetown University, and also held intern positions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers. Moreno graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a bachelor's degree in Spanish in 2008.
Magee is entering his 34th season with the Michigan State hockey program. His role as equipment manager consists of ordering, preparing, maintaining and repairing hockey equipment for the team. Magee began his work with MSU athletic equipment in 1975 as a student equipment manager for numerous Spartan athletic programs before assuming his current position in October 1981.
Mason has worked in MSU Athletics for 16 years. A 1999 graduate of Michigan State and a four-year letterwinner on the field hockey team from 1994-97, Mason began her career on the sales and marketing staff after graduating from MSU and was named director of promotions in 2002. She switched roles to the event management office in 2010, working primarily with football, women's basketball, baseball, wrestling, cross country and track and field as director of events. Mason also oversaw the spirit teams at MSU.