UTAH WARRIORS ADD COMMERCIAL LEADER & KEY TEAM STAFF ADJUSTMENTS

Adding a top high tech executive, Andy Chesnut, as the Commercial General Manager, along with other team adjustments, including the hiring of multiple collegiate national champion coach Wayne Tarawhiti as Dir. of Players & Pathway shows the Warriors commitment to leading the MLR’s transformative effort to success on and off the field in North America and beyond. 

HERRIMAN, Utah (July 18, 2023) — Moving into the 2023 Major League Rugby (MLR) off-season the Utah Warriors today announced significant staffing changes on both the commercial and team sides of the organization with the hiring of top local tech executive Andy Chesnut as the new Chief Commercial Officer along with the addition of Wayne Tarawhiti as the new Director of Players & Pathway. 

The Warriors also announced that they will look to hire two new assistant coaches for Head Coach Greg Cooper’s staff to oversee attack and defense respectively. 

These staff additions come amidst some off-season staff changes with the resignations of Brandon Sparks, General Manager, and Shaun Davies, Assistant Coach, who will both look to pursue other opportunities outside of rugby. 

“While losing Brandon and Shaun was a bit unforeseen,” said Warriors Co-Founder and CEO Kimball Kjar, “We are grateful for their significant contributions over the last number of years. The Warriors wouldn’t be in a position of success like we are now without the heavy lifting of both of these men and the many others involved in this organization.”

With these staff adjustments Chesnut and Tarawhiti will look to step in and add immediate impact to an already growing organization that is carrying solid momentum into the off-season after a 10-6 record in 2023 and sellout crowds at Zions Bank Stadium at each of the final three home games. 

Chesnut brings a wealth of corporate marketing and business development experience to the organization, with years of growth strategy and marketing leadership on his resume with successful high tech companies like DSCO, Lease End, QZZR and Expedia.

“Andy’s skillset is 100% that of a disruptor and strategy expert,” said Kjar. “He’s been a thought leader in just about every industry and company he’s worked in and he’s going to not only help the Utah Warriors lead the MLR in fan experience and commercial growth, but Andy’s got the innovative DNA to grow something special inside of America’s most competitive sports and entertainment landscape.”

Chesnut will oversee the Warriors’ brand, community, ticketing, marketing and sponsorship teams while also leading the Warriors’ long and short term commercial strategies including fan experience, game operations and partnership development efforts.

“Rugby is exactly what humanity needs right now,” Chesnut said, “Modern life is relentless. Rugby teaches us how to overcome again and again. I’m beyond excited to be a part of the explosion of rugby in Utah. You step into the stadium on gameday and you can feel the thunder. You can feel the Warrior spirit come alive. There’s no better atmosphere than what we’re creating here at the Utah Warriors.”

On the Warriors’ High Performance side Tarawhiti will oversee the team’s player experience, recruitment, and development on and off the field. With an extensive background in human resources and operations at companies like ADP and Workday Tarawhiti will work closely with Head Coach Greg Cooper to build the MLR’s top roster and player experience on and off the field, but he’ll similarly oversee the development of the next generation of Warriors by focusing on the team’s Pathway programs. 

“Wayne is dynamic personally and professionally and someone that has a singular ability to make the people around him better,” Kjar said, “His addition will infuse our already strong Pathway program with added passion and energy and thus increasing our development opportunities for players. But most importantly Wayne’s addition will significantly improve how our players past, present and future will be supported and developed for life before, during and after the MLR and that’s something we believe is key to the Warriors’ and the MLR’s long term success.”

Tarawhiti is no stranger to rugby having been a part of the five-time National Champion Brigham Young University coaching staff while also serving as the Warriors Kaumatua over the last three seasons. 

“The Utah Warriors are something more than just rugby,” Tarawhiti said, “This team is about everything this state and community stands for. As we know, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, then go together. It’s going to take the whole of Warriors Nation to get us to the MLR promised land. I’m excited to work with the players, the staff and every member of Warriors Nation to build something special together.”

Rounding out the Warriors’ off-season staff adjustments the organization will look to hire two additional assistant coaches to oversee attack and defense respectively for Head Coach Greg Cooper. All interested candidates can review the job descriptions and more information on how to apply on the Utah Warriors’ Career page: https://www.warriorsrugby.com/careers/. 

For more information and updates on the Utah Warriors, please visit www.WarriorsRugby.com or follow our Social Media Channels.