June 9, 2016
THE FLATS – Mike Flynn, who has spent 13 years at Appalachian State, including the last 12 leading the Mountaineers’ communications staff, has been named assistant athletics director for communications and public relations at Georgia Tech, director of athletic Mike Bobinski announced Thursday.
Flynn, 37, will oversee the day-to-day operation of the communications and public relations staff, publicizing Georgia Tech’s 17-sport program. He also will serve as the Yellow Jackets’ primary communications contact for the football team and be a part of the GTAA’s senior leadership team.
“Mike has been involved in every facet of communications and public relations across all sports and from the ground up in his time in collegiate athletics,” Bobinski said. “He rose to become a key member of the athletics leadership team at Appalachian State and has tremendous experience working collaboratively across the entire athletic department. We look forward to having him help us further advance our mission and our story here at Georgia Tech.”
At Appalachian State, Flynn directed public relations and media relations efforts for the Mountaineers’ 20 sports, served as the primary media contact for their football and baseball teams and acted as the department’s chief spokesperson. He was a member of App State athletics’ senior management team.
“I’d like to thank Mike Bobinski and everyone at Georgia Tech for inviting me to be a part of their incredible team and culture,” said Flynn. “My family and I are unbelievably excited and grateful for the opportunity. I can’t wait to begin working with the coaches, student-athletes and staff, as well as the local, regional and national media that cover the Yellow Jackets.
“I’d also like to thank everyone at Appalachian State. I’ve been fortunate to be associated with amazing people in my 13 years in the High Country, especially the App State coaches, student-athletes and staff. Appalachian will always hold a special place in the hearts of my family and me. I wish the Mountaineers nothing but continued success.”
Flynn arrived at Appalachian State in 2003 as an assistant sports information director. He was promoted to director in 2004 and assistant athletics director in 2006. During his tenure, he managed all communications and publicity for the Mountaineers’ football program, including an ultra-successful move to NCAA Division I FBS and the Sun Belt Conference (winning 11 games and the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl in their first full-fledged season as a member of FBS in 2015), three consecutive NCAA Division I FCS national championships (2005-07) and a historic win over the University of Michigan in 2007. He also directed communications for App State’s baseball program, including a 41-win campaign in 2012 that saw the Mountaineers come within three victories of earning the school’s first-ever College World Series berth.
Administratively, Flynn was responsible for Appalachian State’s non-conference football scheduling beginning in 2014 and played a key role in the negotiations that landed App State a home-and-home series with five-time national champion Miami (Fla.). He also served on Appalachian State’s athletics feasibility committee in 2011, which spearheaded the University’s move from the FCS Southern Conference to the FBS Sun Belt in 2014.
Prior to his arrival at Appalachian State in 2003, Flynn was a member of the sports information staffs at TCU (2001-03) and Miami, Ohio (1999-2001). He received a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from Miami in 2001 and a master’s in advertising/public relations from TCU in 2003.
Born in Elizabeth, N.J., and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Flynn and his wife, Erin, have two daughters: Kellan (9) and Annie (3).
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTAthletics), Facebook and Instagram or visit us at Ramblinwreck.com.
