USC Athletics Announces Additions to Senior Staff

USC Director of Athletics Jen Cohen has announced two new additions to her senior staff on Friday (May 3), welcoming Senior Associate Athletic Directors Michael Rorabaugh and Cody Worsham to the Trojan Family.

Rorabaugh begins as USC Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Development Officer on May 6, while Worsham joined as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications & Brand Advancement on April 29. Rorabaugh and Worsham will serve on the Senior Leadership Team and report to Deputy Athletic Director for External, Jay Hilbrands.

"We are so excited to welcome Michael and Cody to the Trojan Family," said Athletic Director Jen Cohen. "Their proven leadership and expertise will bring tremendous value to our student-athletes, athletic department and USC community. Michael and Cody share our Trojan values and will play an essential role in strengthening the external team and positioning USC for success in the changing landscape. They are highly respected inside and outside the industry and will be terrific additions to our Senior Leadership Team."

Rorabaugh returns to college athletics after three years with the Oregon Health & Science University Foundation, where he most recently served as Vice President of Development and Chief Development officer. While at the OHSU Foundation, Rorabaugh and his team raised more than $100M annually and served as the strategic leader, principal fundraiser and chief spokesperson for all OHSU/Doernbecher Children's Hospital philanthropy programs and services. Rorabaugh joined OSHU from the University of Washington, spending four years in Seattle as Associate Athletic Director for Advancement in which he held leadership roles in the $6 billion 'Be Boundless' Campaign as well as the UW Basketball Operations and Softball Practice facility capital campaigns. His career in athletics development spans more than 15 years and includes stops at the University of Texas, UCLA, the University of Colorado and Oregon State.

As Chief Development Officer, Rorabaugh will lead USC Athletics' philanthropic efforts to raise principal and transformational gifts to carry out the department's missions and priorities. He will also collaborate closely with the University's Senior Vice President for University Advancement as well as with executive and academic leadership, deans, faculty and staff to establish and achieve school and department fundraising goals.

"I am beyond excited to join the Trojan Family," Rorabaugh said. "The history of success at the highest levels and tradition of excellence in competition and in the classroom are unparalleled at USC, and something that I have long admired. I am truly honored to be a part of this team and would like to extend gratitude to Jen Cohen, Jay Hilbrands and Scott Rabenold for this opportunity. I can't wait to get to work with our incredible donors who do so much for the extraordinary student-athletes and coaches at USC."

Worsham joins USC from LSU, where he served as Chief Brand Officer and Associate Athletics Director. At LSU, Worsham oversaw LSU Athletics' social and creative media, strategic communications and public relations. In 2023, his team spearheaded the Heisman Trophy campaign for Jayden Daniels, winning Best Marketing Campaign by a College or University honors from Cynopsis Sports Media. Under Worsham's leadership, LSU Athletics also earned two Suncoast Emmy awards for original content.

Worsham will provide overall department strategy in his role with USC on strategic communications and public relations, content, digital platforms, creative video, brand development and design initiatives. He will direct overall strategies for the department's social media and digital channels to enhance brand awareness, collaborate with the university's multimedia rights holder and liaison with conference television networks on all storytelling and content initiatives.

"I'm grateful to join the Trojan Family and to help advance one of the most iconic brands in all of sports," Worsham said. "The chance to represent a world-class institution on the biggest stage in college athletics, to learn from leadership with a clear vision for sustaining success and to partner with exceptional student-athletes, coaches and staff is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm excited to do my part to grow the USC brand."

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USC Athletics Announces Additions to Senior Staff

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