Cornell University Athletics

John Webster was hired in 1998 by Charlie Moore `51 to run the Department of Athletics & Physical Education’s alumni affairs and development operation. Today, working closely with Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Webster manages the relationships of the Big Red’s closest friends and oversees the department’s fund-raising operation.

Before joining the athletic team, he worked in the University’s Alumni Affairs & Development Special Gifts office managing relationships of friends of Cornell who had a primary interest in ILR, the Hotel School or athletics. In that capacity, Webster worked with Charlie Moore advancing fundraising for the Big Red. When Dan Kathan `70 stepped down from the post, Moore tapped Webster to take-over.

Since then the Big Red Annual fund (current use gifts) has grown from about a one million dollar a year operation to the record $7.01 million raised last year (FY `18).  For the past 10 years, in total (including gifts to capital projects and endowment), the department has averaged about $14mm in new gifts and commitments - including $16.13mm last year.  Webster has led a number of capital project campaigns as well, including the $8mm renovation/expansion of the Cornell Rowing Center, an $8mm renovation/expansion of Schoellkopf Memorial Hall, the $3.5mm renovation of baseball’s Hoy Field, the $5mm renovation/expansion of Lynah Rink, the $1mm construction of field hockey’s Dodson Field, and the $2.5mm project to renovate softball’s Neimand*Robison Field. 

During his tenure the market value of athletic endowment has grown from about $20mm to $117mm today. Big Red Athletics has 31 endowed positions - far more than any other school in the country.

Webster graduated from Ithaca College in 1988. He is a native Ithacan and his grandfather, Walter O'Connell, was Cornell's wrestling coach from 1908-48. His father, Louis Richard Webster, was Cornell Class of '51 and briefly played football for the Big Red until an injury cut his career short. His wife, Amy Russ, is also a member of the Cornell AA&D team and they have three children, Clara, Julia and Louis.