Phil Bergman joined UIC in January 2023 and serves as Associate AD for Brand Strategy & Broadcasting, as well as sport supervisor for the Flames’ women’s golf program.
Bergman leads UIC’s brand strategy and promotion for internal and external audiences, expanding the Flames’ visibility across Chicago. He oversees branding initiatives involving signage, uniforms and external projects, and manages licensing, merchandising and mark usage in collaboration with adidas and UIC’s varsity programs.
He directs all UIC broadcasting operations, leading a team of more than 40 freelance professionals and student crew members who produce more than 90 ESPN+ broadcasts and free audio streams on the Flames Network each year. He also played a key role in securing UIC’s partnership with Marquee Sports Network, which began in Fall 2025. In addition to his broadcasting role, Bergman supports Athletics’ external operations and marketing efforts. During the summer of 2025, he helped lead the marketing unit and now serves as the department’s point person for university partnerships and collaborates on the Flames’ NIL initiatives.
Bergman taught a course in UIC’s College of Education on NIL and its impact on higher education and frequently serves as a guest lecturer on broadcasting, NIL and content strategy. He also oversees UIC’s external relations student worker program and created a for-credit internship opportunity for students interested in careers in sports communications and marketing.
From 2023–25, Bergman directed UIC’s creative services unit, overseeing content creation, photography, video, and graphic design for all 18 varsity programs, as well as the department’s social media strategy. He previously led the communications office for more than a year.
Before joining UIC, Bergman was the Director of Multimedia for the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA), serving as the primary storyteller, producer, and on-camera talent for Navy’s 35 varsity athletic programs. Prior to that, he spent five years in local television as a sports anchor and reporter with KMTV (CBS) in Omaha, KLKN-TV (ABC) in Lincoln, Nebraska, and KOMU-TV (NBC) in Columbia, Missouri. He earned Nebraska Broadcasters Association awards for storytelling in 2017 and 2018.
Bergman graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and earned a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University. A former collegiate lacrosse player, he was a three-time all-conference selection and also performed for three years in his university’s marching band.
Bergman resides in Chicago with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Truman.
