Bridgeport's Natalie Aliff Foley Takes on New Position as Staff Member at James Madison University
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on July 26, 2026
Long-time Maple Lake resident and Bridgeport High School graduate Natale (Aliff) Foley is a new member of the faculty at James Madison University. She will be a Lecturer of Sport Management at Hart School at the University.
She formerly worked at Connect-Bridgeport.
Natalie brings more than 15 years of hands-on experience across college athletics, higher education, and sports communications into the classroom. Before joining JMU, she taught graduate-level sport management courses as an adjunct faculty member at Sam Houston State University, where she helped lead a student collaboration with the Houston Rockets that gave students real-world experience with a NBA franchise.
Natalie’s industry career spans many corners of the sports and higher education landscape. As Assistant Athletic Director at Chipola College, she oversaw athletic events, facilities, budgets, and donor relations while serving as Sports Information Director, earning recognition as a CoSIDA National Champion Sports Information Director in 2017 and 2018. She has also served in university leadership and advancement roles, including Director of Executive Operations in the Office of the President at Daemen University and Director of Development at Sam Houston State University, where she cultivated major gifts and partnered with deans and senior leadership on institutional priorities. She currently consults on strategic partnerships and fundraising with Palmetto Philanthropy.
Natalie holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from West Virginia University, where her early experience included working with WVU Sports Marketing and the university’s communications office. She is passionate about bridging the classroom and the sports industry and loves helping prepare students to step confidently into their first roles in athletics.
Natalie loves being by any body of water and cheering on her favorite teams. She lives in Harrisonburg with her husband, Brendan, their son, Reid, and spoiled dog, Oaklie.
Editor's Note: Photo, information, prepared and courtesy Sam Houston State University.
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