Legion Collegiate Academy

Ricky Hazel joined Pinnacle Charter Academies as School Support Coordinator for Communications in January of 2023 after spending the last 28 years as a communicator and administrator in college athletics. He spent the last 11 years serving the role of Associate Director of Athletics at Stetson University where he oversaw communications, social media, broadcasting, licensing, and branding.
 
During his tenure at Stetson, Hazel was a member of the athletics senior staff, oversaw all branding for the University and the law school and was a sport administrator for multiple teams. He oversaw communications for multiple ASUN Conference Championship events and was the Tournament Manager for the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament in Orlando. He also served on the FCS Management Advisory Committee.
 
Hazel was involved in the $3.3 million expansion and renovation project at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, this historic football facility in DeLand, working alongside officials from the City of DeLand to completely refurbish the facility in time for the reintroduction of the Stetson Football program in 2013.
 
In addition to his day-to-day duties directing communications efforts for Stetson football, baseball, and men’s and women’s golf, Hazel also oversaw coverage for all 18 Division I Athletics programs. He oversaw the Hatters’ Athletics website, GoHatters.com, and was behind the addition of fan-friendly tools such as Hat Check and Photo Shelter.
 
In 2014, Hazel oversaw the creation of Stetson Broadcast Productions, which produces high-definition broadcasts from Hatters athletics events for ESPN+. That unit also serves the greater Stetson University community by producing video content and various live events such as commencement, musical and theater performances, and lectures.
 
As the University’s primary licensing official, Hazel ensured all marks and logos were used properly and all merchandise carrying those marks reflected well on the University. He led the effort to create new branding for the University and its athletics teams in 2018.
 
A native of Huntsville, Ala., Hazel attended the University of Alabama where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Communications in 1988. He went on to earn a Master's in Sport Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1994.
 
Prior to embarking on a career in college athletics, Hazel was an award-winning sportswriter and editor, earning more than 50 state and regional awards for writing and page design during six years as a sports editor.
 
Prior to joining the staff at Stetson, Hazel served as Director of Athletics Media Relations at Troy University. His other stops in college athletics included time at the University of Southern Mississippi, Marshall University and Alabama A&M University.
 
During his time at Marshall, he coordinated the Heisman Trophy campaigns for both Chad Pennington (1999) and Byron Leftwich (2002). Pennington was selected as an All-American in 1999, was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was the National Football Foundation's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
During his tenure at Marshall, the Thundering Herd won three Mid-American Conference titles in four years and won four consecutive bowl games. Marshall finished the 1999 season undefeated and ranked 10th in the nation.
 
During his time at Troy, the Trojans' football program rose to national prominence with victories over nationally ranked Missouri and Oklahoma State while sending players such as Demarcus Ware, Leodis McKelvin, Sherrod Martin and Jerrel Jernigan on to the NFL. Ware will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July 2023.
 
The Trojans won five consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles and appeared in five bowl games while Hazel was in Troy. The Troy baseball team also made three NCAA Regional appearances during his time there.
 
Hazel and his wife, Joan, a native of Corinth, Miss., who is an author and classically trained opera singer. Celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in July and are the proud parents of two fur babies, Ellie and Luca.
 
The Hazel’s enjoy travelling, gardening and are season ticket holders for the Broadway series at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Both are also voracious readers with a collection of more than 1,000 books in their home library. The couple resides in DeLand, Fla.