SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference (WCC) and Van Wagner today announced the appointment of Al Grigsby as General Manager of their corporate marketing and sponsorships program. Grigsby will lead the development and execution of the Conference’s corporate partnership strategy, with an emphasis on generating new revenue opportunities, expanding commercial relationships and championships ticket sales.
 
Grigsby brings more than two decades of experience spanning collegiate athletics, corporate partnerships, and international business development. In his new role, he will work closely with WCC leadership and Van Wagner to grow the Conference’s corporate sponsorship portfolio, cultivate strategic relationships with regional and national brands and create innovative partnerships that enhance the visibility and commercial value of the WCC and its member institutions.
 
“We are excited to welcome Al to the West Coast Conference and look forward to the expertise and energy he brings to our partnership with Van Wagner,” said WCC Commissioner Stu Jackson. “Al possesses a unique combination of collegiate athletics experience, commercial acumen and a proven ability to develop meaningful corporate relationships. His understanding of our membership, combined with his strategic approach to revenue generation and partnership development, will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen the WCC brand and expand our commercial footprint.”
 
Grigsby joins Van Wagner after four years of fundraising at Seattle University, first as Assistant Athletic Director responsible for corporate sponsorships and development before being centralized and moving to Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations. In that role, he was responsible for corporate sponsorships, revenue generation, and licensing and trade partnership initiatives across athletics and the broader university.
 
Among his accomplishments at Seattle U, Grigsby secured a campus advertising revenue-sharing agreement projected to generate more than $1.3 million annually, established corporate trade partnerships that offset athletics operating expenses and developed an integrated platform connecting university-wide sponsorship and partnership opportunities. He also contributed to record-setting fundraising efforts for Redhawk Athletics.
 
Prior to his tenure in collegiate athletics administration, Grigsby spent 15 years with BioVed Pharmaceuticals, where he led international business development and licensing initiatives across markets in Asia and North America. His work included negotiating strategic agreements, expanding distribution networks and generating significant revenue growth through new commercial partnerships.
 
A former Division I and professional basketball player, Grigsby brings a distinctive understanding of the collegiate athletics landscape. He played basketball at the University of California, Berkeley, helping the Golden Bears reach three NCAA Tournaments and a pair of Sweet 16s, before embarking on a five-year professional playing career in Japan. He later served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Seattle U before transitioning into athletics and university administration.
 
“I am thrilled to join Van Wagner and continue my involvement with the West Coast Conference at such an exciting time,” said Grigsby. “The WCC has a strong tradition of competitive excellence, outstanding member institutions and a compelling platform for corporate partners to connect with passionate fans and communities throughout the West. I look forward to working alongside Commissioner Jackson, the Conference staff and our partners at Van Wagner to build meaningful relationships, develop new opportunities and contribute to the continued growth of the Conference.”
 
Grigsby earned his bachelor's degree in American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2025, he was the recipient of the Pete Newell Career Achievement Award, an honor presented annually to a Cal men's basketball alumnus who has distinguished himself in his career accomplishments, upholding the highest ideals of Newell and the University of California.
 
About the West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference, founded in 1952, is a premier NCAA Division I conference with a longstanding history of national competitive excellence and institutions of great academic distinction. Guided by its “We Rise in the West” identity, the conference is represented throughout the Western region’s largest cities with a pronounced coastal footprint. Conference membership is driven by championship ambition and core values of integrity, respect, collaboration, innovation, inclusiveness and the holistic well-being of its student-athletes. For more information, visit WCCsports.com and follow the West Coast Conference on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @WCCsports.
 
About Van Wagner
Van Wagner is a leading sports advertising and entertainment agency, with global expertise in live events, sponsorship sales, multimedia rights and aerial advertising. Van Wagner creates, advises and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands and properties. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the NCAA, MLB, NBA, and international soccer, as well as collegiate multimedia rights and in-venue content production at the world's biggest sporting events. For more information, visit www.vanwagner.com.