Top 10 Things It Means to Turn 50 in Athletic Communications (March 2, 2026)

With exactly 11 days until I hit the half-century mark, I’ve been reflecting on the intersection of my two worlds. I’ve put together this Top 10 list to bridge the gap between the technical 'assistant' mindset of this blog and the high-stakes, fast-paced reality of athletic communications.

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Top 10 Things It Means to Turn 50 in Athletic Communications

In 11 days, my personal "System Clock" hits the half-century mark. After nearly three decades of keeping the stats, managing the media, and troubleshooting every crisis from broken Wi-Fi to broken hearts, here is what I’ve learned about reaching Version 5.0.

1. You No Longer Mistake "Urgent" for "Important"

In your 20s, every coach’s "emergency" text is a 4-alarm fire. At 50, you realize that a typo in a 60-page media guide is a "Minor UI Glitch," not a "Total System Failure." You’ve developed the firewall to protect your peace.

2. Your Institutional Memory is the Ultimate Search Engine

The 22nd-year-old intern has Google; you have the Deep Archive. You remember the why behind the traditions, the history of the donor names on the wall, and exactly which reporter needs to be handled with extra care. You aren't just a worker; you’re the lead architect of the program’s story.

3. "Uptime" is Negotiable

We used to brag about 18-hour days and sleeping in the office during tournament week. At 50, you know that scheduled maintenance (sleep, family, and hobbies) is what prevents a catastrophic crash. A well-rested SID is a more effective SID.

4. You’ve Deprecated Your Need for Validation

The "Awards" page on the resume matters less than the "Mentorship" column. Seeing a student assistant you trained land a head SID job or a PR role in the pros is a much better ROI than a plaque on the wall.

5. You Appreciate the "Analog" in a Digital World

While you’re proficient in the latest AI-stats and social algorithms, you know that a face-to-face conversation with a student-athlete is still the most powerful "bandwidth" you have. Relationships are the source code of this business.

6. The Chassis Shows Wear, but the Logic is Faster

Your knees might click when you climb the stairs to the press box, but your ability to troubleshoot a crisis during a live broadcast has never been sharper. You’ve seen every "bug" before; you know the fix before the error message even pops up.

7. You’ve Mastered the "Delete" Key

You’ve learned to delete the clutter—both in your inbox and your life. At 50, you stop saying "yes" to every committee and every project that doesn't align with your core mission. You’re optimizing for Efficiency.

8. You’re a "Classic," Not "Obsolete"

Like a perfectly tuned legacy server that just works, you provide the stability the department needs. The young guns might have faster "processing speeds" for TikTok trends, but you provide the System Integrity that keeps the ship upright.

9. Perspective is Your Best Stat

You’ve seen winning seasons and losing streaks. You’ve seen coaches come and go. At 50, you have the perspective to know that the sun still rises after a tough loss, and the "stats" that really matter are the ones involving your health and your family.

10. The Release Candidate is Ready

Turning 50 isn't the end of the development cycle. It’s the start of the most stable, high-performance version of your life. Version 5.0 isn't about looking back; it’s about pushing to production with more wisdom and less "noise."

Why I Stopped Chasing an Assistant Director Role for a Second Internship (February 28, 2026)

In 2000, I was finishing my first post-graduate internship at the Naval Academy. I was convinced my next stop had to be an Assistant Director role in a Sports Information or Athletic Communications office. I applied for several positions, landed multiple interviews, and even had an internal opportunity on the table.

But I made a choice that looked "backward" to many: I moved to Indiana University for a second internship. (Funny enough, that’s where I eventually met my wife, though I didn't know that then!)

In the world of Athletic Communications, an Assistant Director title carries weight. It feels like you’ve finally "arrived." It’s a full-time seat at the table and looks great on a resume. When I turned down those roles for another internship, people asked, "Why go backward?"

Here is why that second internship was actually the fastest way to move forward in my career.

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1. The "Title vs. Skill" Trap

Early in your career, a title can be a trap. If you become an Assistant Director at a smaller or less-resourced department, you might be the "big fish," but you risk hitting a plateau early.

While I had the ambition for the title, I recognized I still had technical gaps in high-level Adobe Creative Suite workflows, stat-keeping mastery, and crisis management.

The Goal: I didn't want to just have the title; I wanted to be the most competent person in the room when I eventually earned it.

2. Prioritizing Mentorship Over Management

As an Assistant Director, people look to you for answers. As an intern, you are there to ask questions.

By choosing a second internship at a powerhouse program like IU, I gained access to mentors with multiple years of experience. I watched how they navigated NCAA tournaments, handled media relations, and managed high-pressure communications. I traded a "manager" title for a "masterclass" in the industry.

3. Doubling the Network

Had I taken an Assistant Director role immediately, my network might have stayed confined to one specific conference or region. By moving to a different environment for a second internship, I effectively doubled my professional circle. I gained two sets of supervisors, two distinct athletic departments, and two networks of media contacts who could vouch for my work.

4. Building a Foundation to Avoid Burnout

Let’s be real: Athletic Communications is a grind. Jumping into a leadership role without a rock-solid understanding of "how the machine works" is a recipe for 80-hour weeks and rapid burnout.

My second internship allowed me to refine my workflow efficiency. I learned how to do in two hours what used to take me six. That efficiency is what sustains a long-term career.

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The Takeaway for Job Seekers

Don't be afraid of a "lateral move" or even a "downward" title change if the environment is superior.

• A title is temporary.

• Skills are permanent.

• An elite network is priceless.

I didn't "fail" to get an Assistant Director job—I chose to build a foundation that ensured when I did take that role, I wouldn't just hold the position; I would excel in it.

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From Cap and Gown to Career: Setting Goals for Your First Post-Grad Role (February 27, 2026)

The ink on your diploma is barely dry, and the pressure is on. You’re likely seeing "Entry Level" job postings that ask for 2–3 years of experience. It feels like a rigged game, but this is exactly where strategic goal setting and internships come into play.

If you are a recent grad, your job search isn't just about finding a paycheck—it's about building a foundation.

1. The Power of the "Post-Grad Internship"

Many graduates feel that internships are only for current students. This is a myth. A post-graduate internship is one of the most effective ways to get your foot in the door of a competitive company.

• Goal: Aim to apply for at least 3 "internship-to-hire" programs.

• Why? It lowers the "risk" for the employer while giving you a 3–6 month window to prove you’re indispensable. It’s essentially a long-form interview where you get paid to learn.

2. Identify Your "Skills Gap"

Your degree taught you how to think, but an internship teaches you how to work. Use your goal-setting sessions to identify what software or soft skills you’re missing.

• Academic Knowledge: Theory, research, writing.

• Technical Skills: Excel, Python, CRM software, Adobe Suite.

• Workplace Experience: Project management, office etiquette, networking.

Your Goal: If you notice every job in your field requires Tableau or Salesforce, set a goal to spend 5 hours a week earning a free certification in that tool.

3. Networking is Your New Homework

In college, your success depended on your individual effort. In the job market, it often depends on who knows your work ethic.

• The "Alumni Goal": Reach out to 3 alumni from your university who are working in your dream industry.

• The Script: "Hi [Name], I recently graduated from [University] and saw you’re working at [Company]. I’d love to hear about how you made the transition from campus to your current role."

• The Result: This often leads to "hidden" internship opportunities that aren't even posted on job boards.

4. Treat "Soft Skills" as Hard Goals

During an internship or your first role, your ability to take initiative is more important than your GPA. Set goals for how you show up:

• Goal: "I will ask for feedback on one project every week."

• Goal: "I will volunteer for one cross-departmental task to meet people outside my immediate team."

5. Shift Your Mindset: The "Long Game"

Your first job doesn't have to be your dream job; it just needs to be the first job. Use this period to build a portfolio of "proof." Every task you complete in an internship is a bullet point for your next resume.

Tip: Don't just list your duties; list your impact. Did you save the team 5 hours a week by organizing a spreadsheet? That is a "win" you can take to your next interview.

Master Your Job Search: Why Goal Setting is Your Secret Weapon (BONUS: Pictures) - February 26, 2026

Searching for a job is often described as a marathon. But if you’ve been at it for a while, it can feel more like being lost in the woods without a compass. You’re moving, you’re tired, but are you actually getting anywhere?

The difference between a frustrating job search and a successful one usually comes down to one thing: Goal Setting.

One of my goals thorugh this blog is about making your professional life easier. Today, we’re breaking down how to move from "hopeful applicant" to "strategic job seeker" by setting goals that actually move the needle.

1. Stop Chasing "The Job" (For a Moment)

The biggest mistake job seekers make is setting only one goal: “Get a job.” The problem? That goal is too big, and you don’t have 100% control over the outcome. When you don't get a "yes" immediately, it feels like failure. Instead, shift your focus to Input Goals—the actions you take that lead to a hire.

2. Use the SMART Framework

You’ve likely heard of SMART goals, but here is how they apply specifically to your job search:

• Specific: Instead of "apply to jobs," try "apply to three Project Manager roles in the tech sector."

• Measurable: Use numbers. "Reach out to 2 new LinkedIn connections per day."

• Achievable: Don't aim for 50 applications a week if you have a family or a current job. Aim for 5 high-quality, tailored applications.

• Relevant: Ensure your tasks match your career path. Does that 3-hour webinar actually help you get the role you want?

• Time-bound: "I will have my portfolio updated by Friday at 5:00 PM."

3. Categorize Your Goals

To stay balanced, divide your goals into three "buckets":

• The Outreach Bucket: (Networking)

  • Goal: "I will conduct one informational interview per week to learn about company culture."

• The Skill Bucket: (Upskilling)

  • Goal: "I will complete the Google Data Analytics certification by the end of the month."

• The Presence Bucket: (Branding)

  • Goal: "I will post one insightful industry comment on LinkedIn every Tuesday and Thursday."

4. Celebrate the "Micro-Wins"

In a job search, you might get 20 "no’s" before one "yes." If you only celebrate the hire, you’ll burn out. Start celebrating the process:

• Celebrate a great follow-up email you sent.

• Celebrate a recruiter reaching out, even if the role wasn't a fit.

• Celebrate a week where you hit all your "Input Goals."

5. Review and Pivot

A goal isn't a life sentence. If you’ve sent 50 applications and haven't received a single interview invite, your goal shouldn't be "send 50 more." It should be "spend this week's goal hours working with a resume expert to fix my CV."

The Bottom Line: You can’t control the market, and you can’t control the hiring manager. But you can control your schedule, your effort, and your goals. When you track your progress, you turn a chaotic search into a manageable project.

The SID Paradox—Being Everywhere and Nowhere at Once (February 25, 2026)

Following up on my last post, I wanted to dive deeper into a reality that every Sports Information Director (SID) knows all too well: we are professional observers.

On Wednesday, the dust usually starts to settle from a tournament. The results are posted, the galleries are uploaded, and the "Pioneer Invitational" becomes a set of stats in the archive. But for those of us behind the scenes, the day after the tournament is often the day we realize how much of ourselves we poured into the event.

The Myth of the "Limited Role"

Yesterday, I mentioned my role was "limited" to photography and support. In hindsight, there is nothing limited about it. To capture a great athletic moment, you have to anticipate it. You have to know the student-athlete’s tendencies, the coach’s temperament, and the flow of the game.

As an SID, you are:

• The Historian: Recording the legacy of the program.

• The Shield: Supporting coaches so they can focus on the game.

• The Hype-Man: Ensuring our student-athletes feel seen and celebrated.

But who supports the supporter?

The "Mid-Week Reset"

If one day is about taking a timeout, the next day is about the Reset. We often talk to our athletes about "short memory"—forgetting the bad hole or the missed shot to focus on the next play. We need to apply that same grace to ourselves.

Taking time for yourself isn't a "break" from the work; it is maintenance for the machine that does the work. If I am burnt out, the photos lose their soul, the captions lose their wit, and the support I offer my team becomes hollow.

Three Ways to Reclaim Your Day:

1. Audit Your "Must-Dos": Not every idea needs to be a post. If a project doesn't serve the student-athlete or the college's mission, let it go to make room for rest.

2. Change Your Scenery: If you spent the weekend on the golf course, spend your Wednesday morning away from the screen. A change of environment triggers a change in perspective.

3. Acknowledge the Wins: We spend our lives tallying wins for others. Take a moment to acknowledge a personal win—maybe it was a perfectly framed shot of a birdie putt or just the fact that you prioritized your mental health over a Monday deadline.

Looking Ahead

The life of a student-athlete is fast-paced, and there’s always another game on the horizon. But I’ve learned that I am a much better storyteller for SMC when I allow myself to be a part of the story, rather than just a ghost in the machine.

Stay tuned—I’ll be sharing some of my favorite shots from the Invitational later this week. You'll see exactly why they were worth the wait.

Behind the Lens and Beyond the Clock: Finding Focus at the Pioneer Invitational (February 24, 2026)

I didn't forget to post something yesterday. In fact, if you follow the rhythm of college athletics, you know that "Monday" is often just "Sunday Part Two" or the kickoff to a 70-hour week.

Yesterday, I chose to intentionally step back from the digital noise to focus entirely on my work at the Pioneer Invitational. For those who haven’t been on the links, a golf tournament is a unique beast in the world of sports information. It isn't the fast-break pace of basketball or the roar of a Saturday football crowd; it’s a game of patience, precision, and quiet endurance.

My role this week is specific: capturing the action through my camera lens and providing a steady line of support for our coaches and the student-athletes representing Spartanburg Methodist College.

The View Through the Viewfinder There is something therapeutic about sports photography. When you’re looking through the viewfinder, the rest of the world disappears. You aren't worrying about the next press release, the social media schedule, or the mounting emails. You are simply waiting for that perfect follow-through, the moment the putt drops, or the look of determination on a Pioneer’s face.

Being "limited" to taking pictures and supporting the team wasn't a reduction in duty—it was a refinement of focus. It allowed me to be present for our student-athletes in a way that sitting behind a desk never could.

Why We Must "Unplug" to Plug In I’m writing this post because it’s a lesson we all need, especially in the "always-on" world of athletic communications. We often feel like if we aren't posting, we aren't working. But there is a massive difference between being busy and being effective.

We need to take time to focus on ourselves and our primary tasks, even—and especially—when the calendar is at its most crowded. Here’s why:

1. Quality Over Quantity: By stepping away from the "Monday post" grind, I was able to produce better content for the tournament and give my full mental energy to the staff and players on-site.

2. Mental Clarity: Constant multitasking is the enemy of creativity. Taking the time to breathe the fresh air at the Invitational reminded me why I love this job in the first place.

3. Modeling the Behavior: Our student-athletes are under immense pressure to perform, study, and maintain a presence. When they see their support staff focused, calm, and present, it sets a standard for their own mental approach to the game.

The Takeaway:
The Pioneer Invitational is not a success not just because of the scores on the cards, but because of the moments captured and the connections strengthened.

To my fellow SIDs and creators: Don't feel guilty for missing a deadline you set for yourself if it means you’re showing up more fully for the people right in front of you. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to stand still, wait for the swing, and capture the moment.

When the Heat Rises: Why the Best Professionals Regulate, Not React (February 21, 2026)

Over the past few weeks, during the inevitable overlap of sports seasons, I’ve had a small window — very small, if I’m honest — to reflect.

Recently, College Sports Communicators has been recognizing its Lifetime Achievement Award recipients and 25-Year Award honorees. Those recognitions matter. Longevity matters. Impact matters.

But it also made me consider something else:

No external honor replaces internal regulation.

If we cannot manage ourselves — our emotions, our reactions, our perspective — then no award, title, or job will ever feel like enough.

So today’s post is about that. About regulation. Especially in busy seasons.

And for those in the middle of a job search, this is equally important. Self-compassion and self-management are foundational. The job is just one piece of the puzzle. Managing yourself well will always be more rewarding — and more sustainable — than any title you hold.

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When Things Get Intense, Most People React

They fire off the email.
They send the text.
They snap in the meeting.
They make the call they can’t undo.

In athletic communications — and in leadership — intensity is not an exception.

It’s the job description.

Game nights.
Deadlines.
Coaches who need something now.
Administrators who needed it yesterday.
Student-athletes navigating emotional highs and lows.

Pressure is built into the profession.

The differentiator isn’t who avoids stress.

It’s who regulates under stress.

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Don’t React. Regulate.

When the temperature rises, your first responsibility is not to respond.

It’s to regulate.

Slow your breathing.
Move your body — even if it’s just a walk down the hallway.
Step away from the keyboard.

You are managing your physiological state before you manage the situation.

Because once you hit send — once you say it in the meeting — once you post it publicly — you don’t get that moment back.

Emotional control is a competitive advantage.

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Control the Controllables

After you regulate, shift your focus.

Ask a simple question: What can I actually control?

Not the officiating.
Not budget limitations.
Not institutional politics.
Not the last-second loss.

You control:

• Your preparation

• Your effort

• Your attitude

• Your honesty

• Your follow-up

In athletic communications, that might look like:

• Double-checking the stat line instead of rushing it.

• Owning a mistake instead of deflecting it.

• Delivering difficult information clearly instead of softening it into confusion.

• Maintaining a consistent tone when others do not.

Professionals don’t burn energy wrestling what’s outside their lane.

They execute what’s inside it.

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Stress Is Not the Enemy

Stress is part of the arena.

If you care about outcomes — about serving coaches, administrators, and student-athletes well — you will feel it.

The question isn’t whether stress shows up.

The question is: How do you show up when it does?

Do you become reactive?
Or do you become steady?

Your reputation is built in those moments.

Not when things are calm.
Not when the scoreboard favors you.
Not when inboxes are quiet.

But when everything is loud — and you choose composure anyway.

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The Choice Is Daily

Regulation isn’t a one-time decision.

It’s a habit.

You build it in small moments:

• Pausing before replying.

• Asking one more clarifying question.

• Taking responsibility without excuse.

• Choosing professionalism when venting would be easier.

Over time, that consistency compounds.

In crowded applicant pools.
In high-pressure environments.
In leadership conversations.

Composure stands out.

Stress is part of life.
Intensity is part of the job.

How you show up in it?

That’s a choice.