Vinnie James has served as the deputy athletics director for internal operations since July 2022. He is responsible for the department's strategic planning and analysis. He also oversees capital projects, facility and event operations, information technology, Penn State Golf Course operations, and equipment operations. James is the football, men's hockey, baseball and women's gymnastics sport administrator.
Prior to coming to Penn State, James spent two years on Kraft’s executive team at Boston College, serving as the senior associate athletics director for business and administration. Prior to his time in Chestnut Hill, James served on Kraft’s staff for seven years at Temple University.
As the senior associate athletics director and chief of staff for the Owls, James was the chief advisor for Kraft on various strategic initiatives and departmental objectives. He worked with Kraft to develop and implement Temple’s athletics department strategic plan by establishing, monitoring and reporting on overall and individual goals and objectives. In addition, he oversaw Temple’s social media, digital media, creative video, video production and graphic design teams. He also served as the sport administrator for the Owl Football program.
Prior to his time at Temple, James spent two years at La Salle University where he was solely responsible for executing business operations, including monthly budget reports for all sports and departments, and overall budget planning for the department. He also spent one year at Villanova University as an intern in the Director of Athletics’ office, providing a wide range of administrative support and serving as an event manager for women’s soccer.
The Bristol, Pennsylvania native graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. James was a four-year varsity starter and two-time team captain for the Huskies baseball program. He earned his MBA from Bloomsburg in 2009 while serving as a graduate assistant for the Huskies.
James and his wife, Erica, have a daughter, Emily, and son, Patrick.