The "T" in the GetSET2Connect model is arguably the most foundational. While "Strategic" and "Engagement" get you in the room, Teamwork is what keeps you there. It is the bridge between individual talent and institutional impact.
The Lead-Off: Why Teamwork is the "T" That Ties It All Together
In the world of Sports Information and Athletic Communications, we often obsess over the "I"—the individual stats, the individual press release, the individual social media graphic. But after 25 years in this chair, I’ve realized that the most successful SIDs aren’t just great technicians; they are elite teammates.
Whether you are an aspiring student assistant looking for your first break or a veteran Assistant AD navigating the complexities of a modern athletic department, your ability to function within a unit is your greatest currency.
This week on the blog, we are breaking down the "T" in GetSET2Connect: Teamwork.
I didn’t learn teamwork from a textbook or a management seminar. I learned it at the kitchen table and in the bleachers. My foundation was built by a mother who was the oldest of 13 children—where "coordination" wasn't a suggestion, it was a necessity—and a father whose diehard passion for sports showed me what it meant to be part of something bigger than yourself.
Over the next five days, I am going to explore how those personal roots translate into professional excellence. We’ll discuss how to demonstrate teamwork when you have no experience, and how to lead through collaboration when you’ve been in the game for decades.
Teamwork isn't just about getting along; it’s about getting SET to connect.
The Kitchen Table Huddle – Lessons from a Family of 13
When your mother is the eldest of 13, you learn very quickly that no one person is the "star" of the show. In a family that size, if one person doesn't do their part—whether it's clearing the table, watching a younger sibling, or simply showing up on time—the entire system feels the friction.
The Professional Parallel
In an athletic department, we often operate in silos. If you are ever at a sporting event, you find your athletic department staff spread throughout the event. Not everyone is in one place. But, my mother who grew up in a family of 13 it teaches us three vital professional lessons:
Awareness of the "Roster": In a large family, you always know where everyone is and what they need. Professionally, this means anticipating the needs of your coworkers before they ask.
Shared Sacrifice: Sometimes, you have to do the "dishes" so someone else can "cook." In our field, that might mean covering a secondary sport so a colleague can attend a family event.
Communication is Oxygen: When 15+ people are under one roof, silence leads to chaos. In sports comms, "over-communication" is the only way to ensure the game-day script goes off without a hitch.
Picture of my mother and father
For the Job Seeker
If you are interviewing for a role, don't just talk about your skills. Talk about your reliability. Employers aren't just hiring a stat-crew operator; they are hiring a "family member" for their department. Can they trust you when the "house" is full and the pressure is on?
Teamwork starts with understanding your role, but it grows through shared passion. Tomorrow, I’m diving into my father’s influence as a "diehard" fan and how that level of commitment—that "all-in" mentality—is the secret sauce for any successful athletic communications team.
Are you a "fair-weather" teammate, or are you in the stands until the final whistle? Let's talk about it tomorrow.
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