College Sports Information Directors of America

The American Volleyball Coaches Association has hired Linda Poncin as the organization's media relation assistant, AVCA Executive Director Katherine McConnell announced on July 14. "Linda comes to the AVCA with great qualifications and an enthusiasm for the job," McConnell said. "Her experience working as a sports information volleyball contact and event planner will be an asset to the association." Poncin has worked the last two seasons as a graduate assistant in Minnesota State University-Mankato's athletic communications department. She served as the Mavericks' sports information contact for women's volleyball and was part of event management for men's/women's ice hockey, men's/women's basketball and women's soccer. Poncin served as the coordinator for the annual Maverick Achievement Awards and Spring Honors Banquet and hosted a weekly Maverick Sports Update on KMSU. "I am very excited about this opportunity to work for the AVCA," Poncin said. "I look forward to starting in August and jumping into a busy year of volleyball." Among her volunteer experience, Poncin has helped at both the 2003 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey West Regional in Minneapolis and the 2003 NCAA Women's Frozen Four in Duluth, Minn. She has provided in-game statistics for Minnesota State High School League Boys and Girls Basketball quarterfinals, the Girls High School Softball Tournament and the Boys High School Baseball Tournament. Poncin earned her bachelor's degree in mass communication/public relations from MSU-Mankato in May 2001, and expects to complete her master's degree in sports administration from MSU-Mankato by next summer. Poncin, a native of New Ulm, Minn., will begin her duties at the AVCA on Aug. 4. She will handle AVCA media relations for NCAA Division II and III women's volleyball, two-year college women's volleyball and assist with the men's collegiate program.