College Sports Communicators

Draft day ready: Preparing for a career in sports communications | On-demand webinar

"Draft day ready: Preparing for a career in sports communications" Presented by the CSC U Committee In a competitive industry, preparation matters. This webinar equips students with the tools needed to stand out in the sports communications job market. Learn how to strengthen your resume, navigate the job search, and position yourself for success in college athletics. Join us to hear from: Anthony Martini (Moderator) - New Jersey Institute of Technology, Assistant Media Relations & Digital Strategy Officer Mallory Agner - Manhattanville University, Assistant Director, Athletic Communications Frank Mercogliano - University of New Mexico, Associate Athletic Director of Communications Paige Ward - Southern Athletic Association, Assistant Commissioner 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 will be available on-demand starting Monday, January 26 at Noon (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.

The evolving role of content creators in college athletics | Tyson Hutchins & Jared Kleinstein | CSC Voices, Beyond the Scoreboard

CSC Voices, Beyond the Scoreboard host: Trip Durham, 2D Consulting, LLC Guests:  * Tyson Hutchins, Associate AD for Creative Strategy, BYU * Jared Kleinstein, Founder & President, Gondola BYU Associate AD for Creative Strategy Tyson Hutchins and Gondola Founder & President Jared Kleinstein join Trip Durham to discuss the evolving role of content creators in college athletics, the importance of access and trust in storytelling, and how creative teams can better communicate their value across campus. Tyson and Jared share insights from their experiences at BYU, Clemson, and across the Gondola creative community, offering perspective on how college athletics continues to shape the broader sports content landscape. In this conversation, we explore: * How content creation has become essential to storytelling across college athletics departments. * Why access, authenticity, and culture matter more than equipment or production level. * How content creators and athletics communications staffs can work in tandem to elevate storytelling, strategy, and coverage across platforms. * Strategies for prioritizing content with limited resources and small staffs. * The importance of communicating creative value to coaches and administrators. * Why the best moments often happen outside the content plan. * Where sports content, distribution, and creative leadership are headed next.

AI in action: how FanWord supports today’s communicators | On-demand webinar

"AI in action: how FanWord supports today’s communicators" Presented by the Professional Development and Education Committee No matter the division or level of competition, athletic communicators are navigating new challenges in how they share stories and connect with audiences. FanWord is a platform that streamlines workflows and elevates storytelling, while reinforcing the idea that AI tools should not be feared but embraced as a resource to save time and energy. Whether you’re curious about why peers adopted FanWord or looking to understand how AI can simplify your daily routine, this session will highlight real-world experiences and actionable strategies from communicators across divisions. This session will explore: - Brief overviews from panelists on how long they’ve used FanWord and why they chose it - How AI tools can simplify content creation and boost engagement - The evolving role of storytelling in college athletics and how tools like FanWord support it - Common challenges faced by athletic communicators and practical ways AI tools help address them Join us to hear from: - Chuck Yahng (Moderator) - Assistant AD for Communications - Maryville University - Christopher Aumueller - CEO & Founder - FanWord - Courtney Day - Associate Athletics Director for Communications and Digital Strategy - DePaul University - Kristen Keller - Associate Athletic Director, Sports Brands & Communications - University of Southern California  - Adam Ledyard - Assistant Athletic Director for Communications - East Texas Baptist University - Colena Lord - Sports Information Director - Savannah College of Art and Design This webinar is presented by 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.

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.