College Sports Communicators

Leading with Purpose in the NAIA | Jim Carr | CSC Voices, Beyond the Scoreboard

CSC Voices, Beyond the Scoreboard host: Trip Durham, 2D Consulting, LLC Guest: Jim Carr, NAIA President & CEO NAIA President & CEO Jim Carr joins Trip Durham to talk about the evolving landscape of small-college athletics, the rising confidence across NAIA campuses, and why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools in college sports. Jim walks through the launch of The Right Way to Play, a member-driven effort rooted in pride, authenticity, and campus-level collaboration. He also reflects on his start at UNLV, the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership style, and the meaningful role athletics communicators play in moving the association forward. In this conversation, we explore: * How the NAIA’s mission centers on character, education, and opportunity. * Why collaboration between the NAIA and CSC strengthens national storytelling. * The strategic thinking behind The Right Way to Play and the energy it has sparked among members. * The influence of athletics on campus culture, leadership development, and community engagement. * How communicators can expand their impact by thinking proactively — not just reactively. * What makes small-college environments uniquely personal and powerful. * Jim’s eclectic playlist, favorite eras of music, and his pick for a one-day job swap.

Managing the Academic All-America® voting period with confidence | On-demand webinar

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: "Managing the Academic All-America® voting period with confidence" Presented by the Academic All-America® Core Program and Professional Development and Education Committees After Academic All-America® nominations are submitted, the next phase begins: voting. This step is just as important and much easier to manage with a clear plan and the right tools. If you're just getting started or want to tighten up your routine, this session will help you vote with confidence and clarity.  This session will explore: - Simple ways to organize voting materials and track deadlines across categories - Tips for sorting, filtering, and comparing nominees to support confident decisions - When to block time on your calendar to review nominations without feeling rushed - Common voting missteps and how to avoid them Join us to hear from panelists: - Tommy Chasanoff (Moderator) - Assistant Athletic Director - Sports Information - University of the Cumberlands - Kyler Ludlow - Assistant Director of Athletics Communication - University of Dayton - Meredith Mahoney - Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - Illinois Wesleyan University This webinar is presented by the Academic All-America® Core Program Committee and the Professional Development and Education Committee, who is charged with coordinating and enhancing year-round continuing education, professional development and leadership opportunities, resources and training to help members at all levels excel as professionals and strategic communicators.  Unable to attend live events? Selected sessions may later be available on-demand in the hub and on CSC channels such as YouTube and podcasts. Visit CollegeSportsCommunicators/ProfessionalDevelopment for a complete list of available professional development opportunities.

Tips for preparing a standout Academic All-America® nomination | On-demand webinar

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: "Tips for preparing a standout Academic All-America® nomination" Presented by the Academic All-America® Core Program and Professional Development and Education Committees Academic All-America® honors are reserved for college student-athletes who excel in both their sport and the classroom. Behind every successful nomination is a strategic, well-prepared effort by communicators and administrators. This practical session will guide you through the key steps to compiling a compelling nomination. Whether you're new to the process or looking to sharpen your approach, you'll learn: - Time management strategies, including when to block time on your calendar and how to avoid last-minute scrambles - How to identify and contact the right campus partners for GPA verification, resumes, and community service documentation - What makes a nomination stand out and how to share strong, specific content that highlights academic success, athletic achievement, and meaningful service - Common mistakes to avoid and how to stay organized throughout the process Hear from panelists: - Cobe Wastler (Moderator) - Director of Digital Strategy - U.S. Air Force Academy - Isaac Comelli - Sports Information Director - California State University, Bakersfield - Emily Dorko - Associate Athletic Director for External Relations - Adelphi University  - Kevin Smith - Assistant Athletic Director of Communications - The College of Wooster This webinar is presented by the Academic All-America® Core Program Committee and the Professional Development and Education Committee, who is charged with coordinating and enhancing year-round continuing education, professional development and leadership opportunities, resources and training to help members at all levels excel as professionals and strategic communicators.  Unable to attend the live event? Selected sessions may later be available on-demand in the hub and on CSC channels such as YouTube and podcasts. Visit CollegeSportsCommunicators/ProfessionalDevelopment for a complete list of available professional development opportunities.

The team behind the team: A look at what college sports communicators do | CSC U webinar

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: "The team behind the team: A look at what college sports communicators do" Presented by the CSC U Committee Ever wonder who’s behind the highlights, graphics, and stories that showcase your favorite college teams? Join us for a conversation with professionals from across athletic communications as they share how they bring college sports to life. Learn what it takes to tell the stories of student-athletes, the skills that make this field exciting, and how you can get started in college sports communications. Hear from panelists: - Ashleigh Jones (Moderator) – Director of Athletics Communications - Denison University  - Jordan Manning – Assistant Director of External Communications and Public Relations - University of Michigan - Josh Smith – Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations - Bridgewater College This webinar is presented by the CSC U Committee, who is responsible for educating college students in the field of sports communications. This session is pre-recorded and is available on-demand starting Monday, November 10 at 12:00 p.m. ET in the hub and on CSC channels such as YouTube and podcasts. Visit CollegeSportsCommunicators/ProfessionalDevelopment for a complete list of available professional development opportunities.

Mentorship Matters: Giving and receiving with impact | Career Services and Mentorship webinar

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: "Mentorship Matters: Giving and receiving with impact" Presented by the Career Services Committee and the Mentorship Committee Mentorship is a dynamic relationship rooted in trust, curiosity, and mutual growth. Whether you're offering guidance or seeking it, this session will explore how to bring your best self to the table as both mentor and mentee.  We'll discuss how to lead with professional authenticity, prepare thoughtfully, and follow up with intention. Participants will learn how mentorships - whether brief or long-term - can thrive across departments, institutions, and career stages. We'll highlight the value of both internal and external mentors, and how understanding people is key to building strong connections.  No matter your role or level, there's always something new to learn and someone to learn from. Join us to discover how mentorship can spark personal and professional development, and leave with practical strategies to build relationships that matter. Hear from panelists: - Josh Yonis (Moderator) - Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Communications - Conference USA - Bryce Johnson – Director of Athletic Communications - Guilford College - Kristen Keller – Associate Athletic Director, Sports Brands & Communications - University of Southern California  - Joe Reinsch – Assistant Commissioner - The Pacific West Conference - Jennifer Lynne Williams – Chief Development Officer - USA Basketball Foundation This webinar is presented as a collaboration between the Career Services Committee and the Mentorship Committee. This session is pre-recorded and is available on-demand starting Tuesday, October 28 at 12:00 p.m. ET in the hub and on CSC channels such as YouTube and podcasts. Visit CollegeSportsCommunicators/ProfessionalDevelopment for a complete list of available professional development opportunities.