Finding belonging | Jalen Brandy | CSC Voices, Why We Belong

Finding belonging | Jalen Brandy | CSC Voices, Why We Belong

CSC Voices: Why We Belong is provided by the CSC Inclusion Committee Host Dawnisha Franklin interviews Jalen Brandy, an athletic communications assistant at Buffalo State University, about belonging in college sports communications. Jalen defines belonging as feeling meant to be in an industry, discusses personal buy-in to the long, unorthodox sports schedule, and explains professionally adapting to different teams and keeping creativity alive. He shares challenges shifting from a public relations agency mindset and fan perspective to a broader, stakeholder-focused approach. Jalen describes how being a person of color in predominantly white spaces shaped his ability to navigate discomfort and make his voice respected, motivating his move from corporate PR to the college sports world. He highlights Buffalo State’s diverse culture, ways he signals representation through social media and writing, hopes to create a support group for athletes of color, values relationships with student-athletes, and advises listeners to trust their gut when making career changes.   00:00 Meet Jalen Brandy 00:44 What Belonging Means 01:59 Personal vs Professional Fit 04:45 Early Challenges Adjusting 08:15 Identity Shaping Career 11:43 Building Campus Engagement 13:35 Leading By Example 15:05 Visibility Through Culture 17:13 DEI Culture And Traditions 20:53 Support Group Vision 23:10 Proud Moments With Athletes 26:31 Trust Your Gut Advice 28:14 Closing Thanks And Wrap

Juggling game day: Time management for the modern college sports communicator | 2026 CSC U Summit

Session 1 When everything feels urgent, how do you decide what actually comes first? This session will focus on practical time management strategies for sports communicators – planning ahead for busy competition days, communicating priorities with coaches and administrators, and preparing for weeks where multiple events demand your attention. We’ll also discuss how to ask for help when you need it, from leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT for a starting point on projects to tapping into colleagues, campus creatives, and the CSC freelance network for support. Walk away with strategies to stay organized, reduce stress, and get through your busiest days with confidence. Panel:  * Sedric Granger [https://umeshawksports.com/staff-directory/sedric-granger/251] (Moderator) – University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Assistant Sports Information Coordinator * Madeline Cummings [https://sewaneetigers.com/staff-directory/madeline-cummings-c-23/183] – Sewanee, Director of Athletic Communications * Matt Haufe [https://gomarquette.com/staff-directory/matt-haufe/587] – Marquette University, Assistant Director of Communications * Clayton Messerle [https://corbanwarriors.com/staff-directory/clayton-messerle/358] – Corban University, Director of Athletic Communications * Isaac Ray [https://ekusports.com/staff-directory/isaac-ray/565] – Eastern Kentucky University, Director of Athletics Communications

Build your creative toolkit: Designing efficiently for athletic communications | 2026 CSC U Summit

Session 3 Creative content is a major part of modern athletic communications – but it doesn’t have to take hours to produce. This session will explore how sports communicators can use tools like Canva and Adobe to build consistent branding while also saving time. Learn tips for creating reusable templates, maintaining a cohesive visual identity, and producing eye-catching graphics quickly for social media, game day, and recruiting. Whether you’re new to design or looking to streamline your workflow, this session will help you expand your creative toolkit. Panel:  * Ashley Robbins [https://goriverhawks.com/staff-directory/ashley-robbins/216] (Moderator) – UMass Lowell, Associate Athletic Director for Communications & Creative Content * Maggie Balderstone [https://gobrynmawr.com/staff-directory/maggie-balderstone/121] – Bryn Mawr College, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications * Patrick Murphy [https://minesathletics.com/staff-directory/patrick-murphy/357] – Colorado School of Mines, Athletics Communications Coordinator * Peyton Thibault [https://trinitytigers.com/staff-directory/peyton-thibault/198] – Trinity University, Assistant AD for Multimedia

Communicators roundtable: The moments that make the job worth it | 2026 CSC U Summit

Session 2 Join fellow sports communicators for an open roundtable conversation about the parts of the profession that make the long hours worthwhile. From memorable game-day moments to the relationships built with student-athletes and coaches, this session will allow participants to share stories, reflect on what keeps them passionate about the work, and connect with colleagues across the profession. Whether you're early in your career or a veteran, the goal is simple: celebrate the rewarding moments that remind us why we do what we do. Panel:  * Sammi Wellman [https://rccathletics.com/athletics/directory/bios/Sammi_Wellman] (Moderator) – Riverside City College, Director of Sports Information * Sophia Anderson [https://goyeo.com/staff-directory/sophia-anderson/433] – Oberlin College, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications * Jordyn Rochon [https://goriverhawks.com/staff-directory/jordyn-rochon/392] – UMass Lowell, Director of Communications & Creative Content * Mike Williams [https://goredbirds.com/staff-directory/mike-williams/9] – Illinois State, Associate Athletic Director for Communications

The bio files: Writing player bios & new hire releases that work | 2026 CSC U Summit

Session 4 They may not be the most glamorous assignments, but student-athlete bios and coaching staff releases are essential pieces of athletic communications. This session will cover best practices for writing and maintaining bios, crafting effective new hire announcements, and understanding when and why these materials matter for media, recruiting, and historical records. Learn ways to make the process more efficient while still producing accurate, useful content that serves your department and your audience. Panel:  * Ken DeBolt [https://hwsathletics.com/staff-directory/ken-debolt/2] (Moderator) – Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Director of Athletic Communications * Larry Happel [https://athletics.central.edu/staff-directory/larry-happel/64] – Central College (retired), Athletics Senior Editor * Conor McCorry [https://pepperdinewaves.com/staff-directory/conor-mccorry/460] – Pepperdine, Director of Athletic Communications * Vinny Lavalsiti [https://uclabruins.com/staff-directory/vinny-lavalsiti/6923] – UCLA, Associate Director of Athletic Communications