Jacob Lawson has been hired as Rockhurst's new Assistant Athletic Director for Athletics Communications, effective July 1, announced Director of Athletics Kristy Bayer on Tuesday, May 26.

Lawson comes to Rockhurst from Colby (Kansas) Community College where he was the Assistant Athletic Director and Sports Information Director for the Trojans. Lawson previously served as the Sports Information Graduate Assistant at Fort Hays State University from 2023-25, where he earned his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership Studies.

"I am incredibly excited to join Rockhurst Athletics as the Assistant AD of Athletics Communications," Lawson said. "Rockhurst is a highly respected institution with a strong tradition of excellence both academically and athletically, and I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help tell the stories of its student-athletes, coaches, and programs.

"Kansas City is an amazing sports city, and I look forward to building relationships across campus while continuing to elevate the Rockhurst brand and showcase the incredible achievements of Hawk athletics."

Lawson also completed a full-time communications internship with the University of Kansas Athletics in 2023, before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a minor in Business from KU.

"We are excited to have Jacob as a part of the Rockhurst admin team," Bayer said. "He has had a variety of experiences, including DI, DII and running his own athletics communications department at Colby Community College.

"He has a lot of enthusiasm around the athletics communication industry. We are looking forward to continuing to elevate our student-athletes and promote the Rockhurst brand through various strategies under Jacob's leadership."

Lawson is succeeding John Dodderidge, who is retiring this summer after spending the past 21 years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletics Communications/Sports Information Director at Rockhurst University.