Networking with Purpose: Moving Beyond Contact Collecting (February 6, 2026)

I’ve scheduled this post to go live just ahead of my first guest speaking appearance of 2026 with the students at the University of Kansas.

In athletic communications, networking isn’t optional—it’s the profession. Media relations, coach dynamics, campus partnerships, and external vendors all require it. Your career already depends on building connections, yet when it comes to the job search, many treat networking like a mindless numbers game.

They send dozens of cold requests, attend one conference, collect a stack of business cards, and wait.

That isn’t networking. That’s contact collecting. Real networking is intentional, strategic, and relationship-driven.

1. Purpose Beats Volume Every Time

You don’t need hundreds of industry connections; you need meaningful ones. Instead of asking, “How many people can I meet?” ask:

• Who is doing the job I actually want?

• Who works at the programs I admire?

• Who has followed a career path similar to mine?

• Who consistently shares valuable insights or opportunities?

Purposeful networking starts with clarity. If you don’t know what roles or environments you’re pursuing, your outreach becomes unfocused—and people can sense that. Be specific about your goals before you reach out.

2. Lead With Curiosity, Not Requests

The fastest way to stall a conversation is to open with: "Do you know of any jobs?" That puts immediate pressure on someone who doesn’t know you yet. Instead, approach networking like a feature interview. Ask about:

• Their career trajectory and what prepared them for their current role.

• The skills they use most in their day-to-day operations.

• The mistakes they would avoid if they were starting over.

• Advice for someone trying to break into the industry.

People enjoy sharing their experiences. That’s how rapport forms. Jobs come later—through trust.

3. Show That You’ve Done Your Homework

Demonstrate that your outreach isn't random. Mention a specific project they led, a post they shared, or a recent career move they made.

"I saw your transition from Division II to Division I and would love to hear how you navigated that process."

A line like that immediately separates you from the generic "Add to Network" crowd. Intentional outreach gets responses.

4. Conferences Are Starting Points, Not Finish Lines

Events like CSC are valuable, but attendance alone doesn't build a network. The real work happens in the 48 hours afterward.

• During the event: Take notes on who you meet and capture contact info immediately.

• After the event: Follow up. This is where most people fail.

A connection "expires" if there is no thank you or continuation. A simple message works: "I appreciated hearing about your path at XYZ and your advice on portfolio development. I’d love to stay in touch."

5. Think Long-Term, Not Transactional

Build a professional ecosystem, not a one-time transaction. Check in occasionally without asking for anything: share an article, congratulate them on a promotion, or comment on their work.

These small touches compound. Months later, when a job opens or your name comes up in a meeting, you won’t be a stranger. You’ll be a known entity.

6. Keep a Networking Tracker

Treat your network with the same professional rigor you apply to game stats. Maintain a simple list of:

• Names and organizations.

• How/where you connected.

• Last contact date and key notes from the conversation.

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Final Thought

The best opportunities in athletic communications rarely come from cold applications. They come from conversations, credibility, and being remembered.

Don’t just meet people. Follow up. Stay present. Build something real. That is networking with purpose.

Turning Experience Into Résumé Impact (February 6, 2026)

 Most résumés in athletic communications fail for one simple reason:

They list responsibilities instead of results.

They tell hiring managers what you were assigned to do — not what you actually accomplished.

And in a competitive field like athletic communications, that distinction matters.

If your résumé reads like a job description, you’re leaving opportunity on the table.

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Tasks Don’t Differentiate You — Impact Does

Nearly every candidate applying for an athletic communications role has done some version of the same things:

• Wrote recaps

• Updated statistics

• Managed social media

• Assisted with media relations

• Helped game day operations

None of that is unique.

What is unique is how well you did it — and what changed because of your work.

Hiring managers aren’t impressed by the fact that you posted on Instagram.

They care about:

• Did engagement increase?

• Did coverage improve?

• Did workflows become more efficient?

• Did attendance grow?

• Did content quality rise?

Your résumé should answer those questions.

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Shift From “I Did” to “Because I Did”

Here’s a simple framework to upgrade any bullet point:

Action + Outcome

Instead of:

Wrote game recaps for men’s and women’s basketball.

Try:

Wrote postgame recaps for men’s and women’s basketball, helping increase website traffic by 18% over the previous season.

Instead of:

Managed team social media accounts.

Try:

Managed Instagram and X accounts for three programs, contributing to a 27% increase in follower growth and improved average engagement rate.

Even if you don’t have perfect analytics, approximate where possible. Directional numbers are better than none.

The goal is to show that your work moved the needle.

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Use Numbers Whenever You Can (Even Small Ones)

Metrics immediately elevate your résumé.

Consider including:

• Follower growth percentages

• Engagement increases

• Video views

• Website traffic

• Number of sports covered

• Volume of content produced

• Media placements

• Games managed

Examples:

• Covered 12 varsity sports across two seasons

• Produced 150+ recaps, previews, and feature stories

• Designed graphics generating 10K+ combined impressions

• Assisted with media operations for conference championship events

You don’t need viral numbers. You need evidence.

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Translate Experience Into Transferable Value

Early-career candidates often think their experience “doesn’t count” because it came from:

• Internships

• Graduate assistantships

• NAIA or Division III programs

• Small staffs

That’s a mistake.

Smaller departments often provide broader responsibility.

If you worked in a lean environment, you likely gained:

• Multitasking ability

• Independent decision-making

• Full-cycle content creation

• Cross-sport exposure

Don’t downplay that. Frame it.

Example:

Served as primary communications contact for five sports, overseeing content creation, statistics, and social media strategy.

That tells a much stronger story than “helped with five sports.”

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Customize for the Job You Want — Not the Job You Had

One of the biggest résumé mistakes in this field is sending the same version everywhere.

If a posting emphasizes:

• Social media → move social experience higher

• Media relations → lead with writing and press coverage

• Creative content → highlight graphics and video

Your résumé should mirror the job description’s priorities.

You’re not misrepresenting yourself — you’re organizing your experience strategically.

Hiring managers scan quickly. Make their job easy.

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Strong Bullets Start With Strong Verbs

Avoid passive or generic phrasing like:

• Assisted with

• Helped

• Responsible for

Use action verbs instead:

• Produced

• Managed

• Led

• Coordinated

• Created

• Developed

• Executed

You want to sound like someone who owns work, not shadows it.

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Keep a Running “Impact Document”

Here’s a practical habit that pays long-term dividends:

Maintain a private document where you track:

• Projects completed

• Metrics achieved

• Positive feedback

• New skills learned

• Challenges overcome

Update it monthly.

When it’s time to apply for jobs, this becomes your résumé goldmine.

Most people rely on memory. That’s why their résumés stay shallow.

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Final Thought

Your experience already has value.

Your job is to translate that value into language hiring managers understand.

Stop telling employers what you were assigned to do.

Start showing them what changed because you did it.

That’s résumé impact.

And in athletic communications, impact gets interviews.

Treat Your Personal Brand Like a Sports Story (February 5, 2026)

In athletic communications, we spend our days shaping narratives.

We highlight growth.
We frame adversity.
We elevate achievement.
We give context to results.

Yet when it comes to our own careers, many of us abandon that same discipline.

We submit résumés full of task lists.
We maintain LinkedIn profiles that read like job descriptions.
We leave our digital footprint to chance.

If you’re pursuing a career in athletic communications, this is a missed opportunity.

Because you are also a story.

And hiring managers are reading it.

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Your Career Already Has a Narrative — Are You Controlling It?

Every sports information director understands this: perception matters.

Two teams can have identical records, but vastly different reputations based on messaging, presentation, and consistency.

Your professional brand works the same way.

Whether you intend it or not, employers are forming opinions based on:

• Your résumé

• Your LinkedIn profile

• Your online portfolio

• Your social media presence

• What comes up when they Google your name

That collection of touchpoints tells a story. The question is whether that story is intentional.

If you don’t shape your narrative, someone else will — usually through incomplete information.

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Think Like a Communicator, Not Just a Candidate

Approach your personal brand the same way you’d approach promoting a program.

Start with positioning.

Ask yourself:

• What type of athletic communications professional am I becoming?

• What strengths separate me from other applicants?

• What skills do I want to be known for?

Are you:

• A social-first storyteller?

• A stats-driven media relations specialist?

• A creative content producer?

• A versatile generalist?

You don’t need to be everything. In fact, clarity beats completeness.

Hiring managers aren’t looking for perfection — they’re looking for fit.

Your job is to make that fit obvious.

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Your LinkedIn Headline Is Your Opening Paragraph

Most people treat their LinkedIn headline like a title line:

“Assistant SID at XYZ University.”

That tells me where you work. It doesn’t tell me who you are.

Instead, think of your headline as the lede to your story.

Compare:

Assistant Sports Information Director

vs.

Athletic Communications Professional | Media Relations, Storytelling & Digital Content | NCAA Experience

The second version immediately communicates value and direction.

Use this space to highlight:

• Your discipline (athletic communications, media relations, content creation)

• Your core strengths

• Your level or experience type (NCAA, NAIA, intern, GA, etc.)

This is prime real estate. Treat it that way.

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Your About Section Should Read Like a Feature Story

Your “About” section is not a résumé in paragraph form.

It’s your opportunity to provide context.

Strong About sections usually include:

• A brief overview of your background

• What you’re passionate about in athletic communications

• What skills you’re actively developing

• What kind of opportunities you’re pursuing

Think of it like a feature profile.

Who are you?
What motivates you?
Where are you headed?

Keep it professional, authentic, and forward-looking.

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Show the Work — Don’t Just Claim It

In athletic communications, proof matters.

You wouldn’t promote a team without stats, highlights, or visuals. Your personal brand should operate the same way.

Use LinkedIn’s Featured section or a portfolio site to showcase:

• Press releases and recaps

• Social media campaigns

• Graphics or design work

• Video content

• Analytics screenshots

• Media guides or publications

This immediately elevates you from “applicant” to “practitioner.”

Anyone can say they write well.
Few actually show it.

Be one of the few.

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Google Yourself (Yes, Really)

This step feels uncomfortable, but it’s essential.

Search your name the same way an employer would.

Ask:

• What shows up?

• Is it current?

• Does it reflect who I am professionally?

• Are there old accounts, outdated bios, or unprofessional remnants?

You don’t need to erase your personality. But your digital presence should support your career goals, not undermine them.

Remember: hiring managers often research candidates quietly before interviews.

Make sure what they find helps you.

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Consistency Builds Credibility

The strongest personal brands are consistent across platforms.

Your résumé, LinkedIn, portfolio, and social accounts should reinforce the same story:

• Same tone

• Same focus areas

• Same professional identity

If one platform says “creative storyteller” and another suggests “operations generalist,” you introduce uncertainty.

Clarity builds confidence.

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Final Thought

You already know how to tell stories.

You do it for student-athletes.
You do it for coaches.
You do it for programs.

Now apply that same skill set to yourself.

Your career isn’t just a sequence of jobs — it’s a narrative arc.

Define it.
Shape it.
Present it with intention.

Because in athletic communications, the best stories don’t happen by accident.

They’re built.

How to Email an SID the Right Way (February 4, 2026)

Before diving in, a quick perspective.

I come from the generation that mailed application packets. Email arrived during my college years—first accessed from computer labs, then laptops, and now phones and watches. The tools changed, but the principle never did: how you communicate professionally matters.

Today, one message can introduce you to an entire department.

Or quietly remove you from consideration.

That’s why this post centers on three essentials every job seeker in athletic communications must understand:

Templates. Tone. Timing.

Get these right, and you create opportunity.

Miss them, and doors close before you ever realize they were open.

Everything that follows connects back to those three anchors—how you structure your message, how you sound as a professional, and when (and how) you follow up.

Treat Your Job Search Like a Project (February 3, 2026)

 

Systems Create Momentum: Treating Your Job Search Like a Season

In athletic communications, we live and die by our systems. Whether it’s a game-day checklist, a social media calendar, or a media credentialing process, we know that structure leads to success.

The most successful SID job searches follow that same blueprint. They aren’t chaotic or reactive—they are organized, tracked, and reviewed. If you want to move from a "job seeker" to a "job holder," you need to stop relying on memory and start building a system.

Why You Need a "Search Playbook"

Momentum in a career search does not happen by accident; it is built through structure. Candidates who manage their search professionally often feel calmer, more skilled in their interviews, and significantly more confident.

By creating a "Search Playbook," you ensure that no opportunity falls through the cracks and every follow-up is timed perfectly.

Building Your Simple System

You don't need complex software to do this—a simple spreadsheet or document will suffice. Your system should track:

• The Application Log: Which school, which position, and what date did you hit "submit"?

• The Deadlines: When does the posting close? When is the ideal date for a follow-up?

• The Contact List: Who are the key stakeholders? Note your conversations, LinkedIn connections, and any insights gained from informational interviews.

• The Version Tracker: Which version of your resume or portfolio did you send? (This is crucial if you are tailoring your materials for different divisions or roles).

The Weekly "Game Film" Review

Just as a coach reviews film, you should schedule a dedicated block of time each week to:

1. Review Progress: Where do you stand with your current "leads"?

2. Adjust Strategy: If you aren't getting hits, is it time to refresh your portfolio?

3. Send Follow-ups: Reach out to departments where the trail has gone cold.

4. Identify New Opportunities: Scout the latest postings on the CSC job board or NCAA Market.

The result? Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the process, you become the director of your own career.

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Reflection: Take an honest look at your process. Do you have a documented system—or are you relying on memory and "gut feeling"?

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Footnote: Organization is key to success in this industry. If you’d like to see an example of a search tracking template, I’m happy to share one that I developed. 

Why Applying Online Isn’t Enough (February 2, 2026)

Building Relationships in a Relationship-Driven Profession

In the world of athletic communications, submitting a digital application is a necessary first step—but it is rarely sufficient on its own.

This is a relational profession. Whether you are working on a collaborative stat crew or managing a crisis with a head coach, your success depends on how you interact with others. Consequently, hiring managers want context beyond a PDF. They aren’t just looking for a technician; they are looking for a teammate. They want to know how you communicate, how you think under pressure, and how you show up.

The Power of Intentional Visibility

Strong candidates don't just "apply and pray." They pair their application with strategic, professional connection. This isn't about pestering a busy SID; it’s about signaling that you are an intentional candidate rather than a passive applicant.

Here is how to bridge the gap effectively:

• The Professional Introduction: A brief, well-crafted email or LinkedIn message to the hiring manager or a peer in the department can put a "voice" to your name.

• The Thoughtful Question: Instead of asking about the salary right away, ask about the department’s workflow or their vision for digital storytelling.

• The Informational Conversation: Requesting 15 minutes of someone’s time before a job is even posted is the best way to build a bridge.

• The Respectful Follow-Up: A clear, concise follow-up after an interview or application shows maturity and a high level of interest.

Connection vs. Pestering

There is a fine line between being persistent and being a nuisance. The difference lies in value and respect for time. When you reach out, ensure your message is:

1. Concise: Get to the point quickly.

2. Specific: Mention something you admire about their specific department or a recent project they completed.

3. Low-Pressure: Always give them an "out" if they are too busy to respond.

When done correctly, professional outreach signals initiative, maturity, and genuine interest. It shows you have the "soft skills" required to represent an athletic department at a high level.

The Long Game

Networking shouldn't start when you need a job; it should be a consistent part of your professional life. The people you connect with at a CSC convention today may be the search committee members for your dream job five years from now.

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Reflection: Networking is a muscle. Who have you intentionally connected with—or reconnected with—this week?

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Footnote: Building a professional network can feel daunting. If you aren't sure how to draft that first outreach email, feel free to reach out to me for guidance. The College Sports Communicators (CSC) Career Services Committee is also a fantastic resource for making these vital industry connections.

A review of the Front Office Sports article "College Athletic Departments Are Wooing Recruits With Content Studios" (January 31, 2026)

After reading this FrontOfficeSports article by Ellyn Briggs, "College Athletic Departments Are Wooing Recruits With Content Studios," I felt compelled to provide my analysis for my blog readers.   

Why College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Content Studios — And What It Means for Athletic Communicators

In 2026, college athletic departments aren’t just posting schedules and scores on social media — they’re running full-blown in-house creative studios with specialized teams, serious budgets, and professional-level output. That’s the trend outlined in a recent Front Office Sports piece on how schools are using digital content to compete for recruits, fans, sponsors, and overall visibility.

The Shift: From SID to Strategic Creative Hub

Traditionally, sports information offices handled media guides, press releases, and basic social media posts. Today, departments like USC and Florida have built creative teams numbering around 20 full-time staff plus interns — complete with photographers, videographers, editors, graphic designers, and analytics specialists. These teams operate much like corporate content studios, producing everything from hype videos to day-in-the-life athlete features.

This evolution has been accelerated by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy changes that make digital presence a recruiting tool. Instead of an afterthought, digital storytelling is now a strategic priority tied to performance goals:

• Recruiting and retaining top talent

• Engaging fans and donors

• Attracting sponsorship dollars

• Raising the athletic brand’s profile

In fact, teams are posting thousands of pieces of content annually — from memes to long-form videos — and even small programs are expanding output and personnel to stay competitive.

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What This Means for You?

If you’re involved in athletic communications or seeking a career in this space, here’s what this trend means for you:

🎯 1. Demand for Multifaceted Digital Skills Is Rising

Departments are increasingly looking for communicators who can shoot, edit, write, publish, and analyze content independently. In the past, such a skill set was rare; now it’s becoming expected.
Action for job seekers: Build a portfolio that highlights your end-to-end content capabilities, not just traditional SID tasks.

📈 2. Athletic Communications Has Become Strategic

Content teams are no longer support functions — they’re key drivers of recruiting and branding strategy. Understanding how content impacts goals like athlete recruitment and sponsor exposure positions you as a strategic communicator, not just a content producer.

🤝 3. Internships and Early Experience Matter More Than Ever

With teams staffed by a blend of professionals and interns, intern experience — especially in content creation — is hugely valuable. Many departments now treat social content production as a 24/7 operation, meaning real-world skills are critical.
Action for students: Seek out internships that give you hands-on exposure to social strategy, video production, and analytics.

💡 4. Understand the Bigger Picture

If you want to land a job in athletic communications, your story needs to match departmental goals. Demonstrate that you understand content’s role in recruiting, fan engagement, sponsorship visibility, and brand building — not just posting frequency.