Jim Jeltema was named Assistant Athletics Director of Communications and Events at Fresno Pacific University in August 2024, where he leads the vision, strategy, and execution of all athletic communications, branding, and fan engagement initiatives for Sunbird Athletics.
Jeltema joined Fresno Pacific after more than a decade at FOX Sports in Los Angeles. As a senior writer, producer, and director in marketing and promotions, he created and led campaigns for premier global sports properties and events, including multiple FIFA World Cups, NASCAR, NCAA Football and Men’s Basketball, and the launch of cable network FS1. His work earned four PromaxBDA (now GEMA) Awards recognizing excellence in promotion, marketing, and design. He has also served as a creative director for the Tastemade streaming brand and as a creative consultant for major brands, including Amazon Prime Video’s NFL Thursday Night Football.
In his role with the Sunbirds, Jeltema oversees the department’s comprehensive brand strategy, ensuring a consistent and compelling visual and storytelling identity across all sports, platforms, and touchpoints. He concepts, designs, and leads all athletic event activations and initiatives, enhancing the game-day experience through in-venue presentation and fan-focused, family-friendly innovation. Jeltema also brings the Special Events Center’s LED videoboard to life during all events, designing all graphics, advertisements, and motion content to bring a broadcast-level standard to Sunbird home games.
Jeltema manages all facets of media relations for FPU Athletics, including pitching feature stories, maintaining strong relationships with local and regional media outlets, and serving as the primary point of contact for press coverage. He regularly arranges appearances for Fresno Pacific student-athletes and coaches on Fresno's local TV and radio network affiliates to help elevate the visibility of Sunbird Athletics and amplify the stories of its student-athletes within the Central Valley community.
He oversees the department’s social media strategy in collaboration with the sports information team, guiding content direction, platform voice, and growth initiatives to engage fans, alumni, recruits, and supporters across digital channels. Jeltema also serves as the executive producer of the Sunbirds Sports Show podcast and radio show in partnership with 790 ESPN Fresno, as well as all Fresno Pacific athletics broadcasts on the PacWest Network. His responsibilities include creative direction, content development, and production oversight to ensure both a high level of production value as well as top-tier storytelling that reflects the mission and values of FPU.
Jeltema also oversees the Sports Information operation for FPU, providing strategic leadership and oversight for game management, statistics, schedules, media guides, and official communications with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and professionalism. He is a member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC) organization.
In addition, Jeltema is the primary designer for all officially-licensed Fresno Pacific Athletics merchandise along with team-issued apparel and uniforms, playing a central role in shaping the visual identity worn and represented by Sunbird student-athletes and fans.
A strong advocate for hands-on learning and professional development, Jeltema leads and mentors numerous intern and student staffers, training them in a wide range of roles including broadcast production, camera operation, technical equipment use, podcast production, sports photography, and content creation. He also works closely with students on writing podcast segments and producing long form written features for fpusunbirds.com, providing real-world experience in sports media, storytelling, and creative production.
Originally from the Midwest, Jeltema earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Television Production from York St John University in York, England. Before moving west to Hollywood, his career began in the newsroom at Chicago’s WGN-TV as a Morning News intern. He is a diehard supporter of Leeds United FC, a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Red Wings, and proudly considers himself a NASCAR guru.
Jim and his wife Sara, a Fresno native, live in northwest Fresno with their two children, Jack and Presley.
