College Sports Information Directors of America

Randy Burnside has been promoted to the position of assistant athletic director for media relations, Marshall University Director of Athletics Bob Marcum announced. Burnside, 26, has served in the position on an interim basis since late August. “Randy has demonstrated that he cannot only direct our sports information office, but develop it,” Marcum said. “I am looking forward to seeing some exciting things happen in this area.” His duties include overseeing the media relations efforts and publicity for Marshall University’s 16 varsity athletic programs, serving as the primary media contact the Marshall’s nationally-recognized football program, coordinating the publication of media guides and game programs, management of events and statistics, and maintenance of Marshall University’s official athletics website. “We are doing some really good things in our sports information office and in our athletics department. I can’t wait to further develop our overall media relations efforts,” Burnside said. “Marshall University is a very special place and I am excited to have the opportunity to serve my alma mater and grow professionally.” Burnside is in his sixth year with the Thundering Herd’s sports information office. He has served as a student assistant, a graduate assistant, and as the school’s associate sports information director over that period. For the past two seasons, he has served as Marshall’s primary contact for men’s basketball and as editor of the school’s football and basketball game programs. During his tenure at Marshall, Burnside has played a key role in the promotion of Heisman Trophy candidates Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich, in addition to All-America basketball players J.R. VanHoose and Tamar Slay. He has also worked several postseason events, including the 2001 GMAC Bowl, several Motor City Bowls, and multiple Mid-American Conference Football Championship Games. Burnside is a member of CoSIDA (The College Sports Information Directors of America), the National Sports Writers and Sportscasters Association, the West Virginia Sports Writers Association, the Collegiate Football Writers Association and the National Basketball Writers Association. Burnside, a Hometown (Putnam County) native, earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Marshall in 1999 and a master's degree in athletic administration from Marshall in 2001. He is married to the former Michele McKnight of Scott Depot, W.Va., who also holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Marshall. The couple currently resides in Hurricane, W.Va.