Note: This is the 18th article in the CoSIDA Special Awards feature series which is highlighting all 2013 Special Award recipients. All recipients will be honored at the
CoSIDA Convention (June 12-15) in conjunction with the NACDA and Affiliates Convention at Orlando's Marriott World Center.
See the full list of recipients and features schedule.
by Erich Bacher
University of Virgina Assistant AD for Public Relations
“Pay attention to the details.”
Sounds like simple advice, right?
2013 CoSIDA Rising Star recipient Nicole Bostel of the University of Denver credits one of her mentors, Joel Glass of the Orlando Magic, for passing along that golden advice while she interned with the NBA franchise in 2007-08.
“Joel advised me to pay attention to the details,” Bostel said. “It could be something as easy as making sure you have an extra water bottle for your coach after an interview, or making sure that a media member feels welcome at your press event. All of those little details go a long way and can really separate the good from the great.”
Bostel, the first-year Director of Media Relations at Denver, has paid attention to many details during her young career and will receive the University Division Rising Star award on Friday, June 14 during the CoSIDA Convention Special Awards Luncheon at the Marriott World Center in Orlando.
The Davie, Fla., native first became interested in sports information while watching the 1998 World Cup prior to her sophomore year in high school.
“I was watching the 1998 World Cup and I was so inspired by the sportsmanship of the players,” Bostel said. “I wanted to find a way to work within a sport that promoted such great sportsmanship. So, when the opportunity presented itself to work for the Miami Fusion, our local professional soccer team, which was practicing at my high school, I volunteered. I met with the public relations director and he told me what his job entailed and it sounded really interesting. I was hooked from there.”
Bostel’s star has risen since cleaning and organizing a closet in her first task with the Fusion. Bostel worked four years as a student in the University of Florida sports information department under mentors Steve McClain and Mary Howard. Bostel worked closely with nine of the Gators’ sports, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, volleyball and softball.
“Florida gave me the autonomy and responsibility to work with several sports programs,” Bostel said. “I loved my experience as a student, working for an athletic department that achieved a lot of success in many sports.”
Bostel accepted her first full-time position at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after interning with the school the previous two summers. She spent two years as a sports information assistant and one year as a marketing coordinator at the Division II school.
“Nova Southeastern provided me a platform to wear many hats and learn a lot about an athletic department,” Bostel said. “I learned how to maximize our limited resources and I also managed our printing and publications budget.”
After three years at Nova Southeastern and a one-year internship with the Orlando Magic, Bostel needed a new challenge and took a leap of faith when she accepted an assistant director of media relation’s position across the country at the University of Denver. Bostel would be moving away from home and out of the state of Florida for the first time in her young life.
“My biggest influence in my life has always been my mom,” Bostel said. “Moving out of Florida, especially across the country to Denver, was a big deal to me and my mother. Even though she doesn’t always understand exactly what I do, she has a general idea and it never stops her from supporting me 100 percent and for that I’m truly grateful.”
Within two years, Bostel was promoted to associate director at DU and earned her promotion to director less than three years later. Bostel manages the media relations operations of DU’s 17 Division I athletics teams. In addition, Bostel manages the publicity efforts for DU’s highly visible men’s lacrosse program under the direction of legendary head coach Bill Tierney, who guided the Pioneers to their first NCAA Final Four in 2011.
“Nicole has been instrumental in the growth of our program and letting the world know about it,” Tierney said. “Honestly, I get tired thinking about all Nicole does at the University of Denver.”
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities as director, Bostel has worked tirelessly to showcase the DU men’s lacrosse program on a national level. With her leadership, Denver is now known as “The Lacrosse Capital of the West.” Bostel has managed the media operations at many on-campus NCAA and conference events. She was also instrumental in telling the DU story as the school has gone through changes in conference affiliation, securing membership in the WAC and most recently, in the Summit League.
“The tremendous impact Nicole has had at DU since her hiring in 2008 speaks volumes about her ability, passion and work ethic,” said Peg Bradley-Doppes, DU Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation and Ritchie Center Operations. “I have had the opportunity to see Nicole expand her sphere of influence to areas not only within athletics, but also across our campus and throughout the intercollegiate athletics landscape.”
There have been many highlights in Bostel’s eight-year career so far. She has worked three NBA championship games and played a large support role in DU’s magical run to the 2011 NCAA Final Four. Bostel also worked with the U.S. National Soccer Team and met Cobi Jones, her favorite player at the time. But for Bostel, it’s all about meeting people and promoting her coaches, student-athletes and school along the way.
“What I like most about this profession is the opportunity to work with some amazing people and to see how championships and winning teams are made,” Bostel said. “I’ve learned so much from all the coaches, student-athletes, players and support staffs that I truly cherish all of those life lessons.”
Bostel’s transition from associate director to director has been full of new and exciting challenges. The rising star has leaned on her media relations’ staff and past mentors to guide her through her first year. One of her biggest challenges at Denver is leading the publicity efforts for a private collegiate institution in a professional sports dominated market.
“I am a competitive person and I enjoy the challenge of earning the media coverage in Denver, where the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets and Avalanche dominate a lot of the attention. There is always room to improve at everything you do, so I feel that I still have a lot of work to do to be the best that I possibly can be.”
Bostel couldn’t achieve the success without the support of her husband, Shane. She credits his support for allowing her to work countless hours during the seven-day workweek.
“I’m still learning how to balance my work life and my home life,” Bostel said. “I have a wonderful husband, Shane, who has been so supportive of me since I took over as director a week after getting married. Shane and my family have been so positive and encouraging that it makes me want to be the best I can be for them as well.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that Nicole, through her professionalism, attention to detail, listening and writing skills, and true caring about others, will be receiving very high praise for years to come,” Tierney said.