Riverhounds name Robert Morris grad new club president

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have their new president.

Jeff Garner, a 1999 Robert Morris graduate, returns to the Pittsburgh area to head up the organization.

The Riverhounds announced the hiring of the veteran sports executive Thursday. Garner owns experience both in the USL Championship and in the Western Pennsylvania market.

“We’re glad he wanted to come back to Pittsburgh to lead our club, and we’re going to continue the rapid growth we’ve had in all areas of the Riverhounds organization,” team owner Tuffy Shallenberger said in a release.

Garner comes to the Hounds after three years as president of business operations with 2021 USL Championship winner Orange County SC in southern California, where he oversaw all aspects of the team’s business operations, including sponsorship, ticketing, marketing and stadium operations.

“I couldn’t be more appreciative to Tuffy and the entire club for welcoming me to such a critical and exciting next chapter for Riverhounds soccer,” said Garner, a York native who played football while at RMU.

“My family and I are so happy to return to Pittsburgh and contribute to the fabric of this wonderful community by sharing our affordable family entertainment experience with the region.”

During his time with Orange County SC, Garner used a fan-first approach to generate a surge in game attendance.

In addition to record-setting financial results, Garner expanded event offerings, spearheaded a regional broadcast partnership, implemented fan-driven technology assets and directed the launch of multiple community outreach programs.

With the Riverhounds, Garner will lead the business side of the club, Highmark Stadium and the AHN Montour Health + Sports Medicine Center, as the team continues its post-pandemic growth.

After graduation from Robert Morris, Garner began his career in Minor League Baseball and spent 13 years with several franchises. Ten of the 13 years were spent with the Greenburg Sports Group, owner and operator of the Altoona Curve, State College Spikes, and Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

A member of the Robert Morris University Sports Management Hall of Fame, Garner joined Penn State in 2013 as an assistant athletic director for ticket sales and service, where he managed ticketing and fan services across Nittany Lion athletic programs, including Beaver Stadium and the opening of Pegula Ice Arena.

He moved to California in 2018 and was named president of the San Diego Fleet in the Alliance of American Football.