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OUR STORIES
Joe Browning
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) Senior Associate Athletic Director/Athletic Communications
CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee member
by Rob Knox, Towson University Associate Director of Athletic Media Relations/
CoSIDA 2nd Vice President/CoSIDA Week Committee member
Joe Browning is a UNCW treasure.
Browning who serves as the Seahawks’ senior associate athletic director/athletic communications just started his 28th year at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). A senior member of UNCW's management team and former CoSIDA board of directors member, Browning has accomplished plenty during his distinguished career.
“I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed the interaction with our student-athletes, coaches, administration, and staff the most,” Browning said. “Wins and losses come and go, but it’s the people you work with behind the scenes who matter the most. It’s been truly gratifying to spend three decades at an institution where academics and athletics are symbiotic. Our students receive a quality education here and everyone is all in to make sure they are prepared for the future.”
Behind the scenes of the triumphs and tough setbacks is Browning diligently writing, promoting, mentoring, leading, and most of all, smiling. He has earned the trust and respect of everybody he has come in contact with during his time at UNCW.
“Joe is part of our family,” UNCW junior guard Jordon Talley of the men’s basketball team said. “He’s easy going and a big part of our program. He likes to make people at ease with a joke or a smile.”
As the men’s basketball contact, Browning enjoyed preparing unique nuggets and facts this past March when the Seahawks participated in the NCAA Tournament against Duke in Providence. Browning spent lots of time during the week juggling media requests, working on game notes, and writing colorful and descriptive web stories that put readers on the airplane, in the locker room and at the hotel with the Seahawks during the week.
He also worked with local media coordinator Jen Rynearson of Providence during the week of the NCAA tournament (photo, above), which helped ease some of his massive workload.
“Joe has an unbelievable personality, he’s bubbly and charming,” UNCW head men’s basketball coach Kevin Keats said. “He never seems to have a bad day. He knows how to bring a smile to someone’s face and that’s big in this profession with the long and grueling hours it demands. He has many years of experience and expertise and that means everything to our program and university. He’s a positive influence on everyone around him, from staffers to student-athletes. Everyone knows and enjoys being around him.”
A native of Topeka (Kansas), Browning broke into the sports information profession in 1987 when he became Director of Sports Information and Promotions at Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, W.Va. He was named West Virginia Conference SID-of-the-Year three times during his five-year stay in the Mountaineer State and won 12 NAIA publication awards before moving down to coastal North Carolina. In 2000, Shepherd presented him with a special citation in recognition of his leadership and commitment as a founder member of its Hall of Fame.
“After a brief taste of newspaper work, I was fortunate to begin my chosen career at a small shop where you
Browning with Magic Johnson at a press conference.
did everything, including coverage for all of the programs and game promotions,” Browning said. “Shepherd University, then-NAIA and now NCAA Division II, provided an ideal laboratory for a newspaper writer/editor/photographer to learn the sports information business from the ground up. I was fortunate to work with some outstanding coaches and staff who were patient with my early mistakes.
“As I continued in the profession, Bob Bradley (Clemson), Rich Murray (Virginia), Dave Smith (Virginia Tech), Rick Brewer (UNC) each provided counsel and advice along the way and Jack Neumann (Calgary), Mike Mahon (Drake), Bo Carter (College Football Foundation), Gary Michael (James Madison) and Carol Hudson (Old Dominion) remain close friends who are just a phone call away. I’ll always be grateful, too, to Mike Moran and Bob Condron of the U.S. Olympic Committee for believing in me and providing so many great experiences.”
Browning has been a valuable contributor to CoSIDA’s growth. In addition to serving on the publications, special awards and site selection committees, Browning served a three-year term on CoSIDA Board of Directors as a college division representative, joining only four other North Carolinians to serve on the organization's management cabinet in its 63-year history. He is an active member of the CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee and volunteers annually during the convention in that group's community service projects.
“Serving on the CoSIDA Board was an honor and a privilege,” Browning said. “The organization has been blessed to have great leadership and that was no different during my time on the board. Justin Doherty, Larry Dougherty, Tom Di Camillo and Joe Hornstein were dedicated professionals who led by example. It was also a pleasure working with former Executive Director John Humenik, one of our industry’s greats, on many initiatives. My only regret was coming up short in creating a mechanism for recognizing deserving offices around the country. We tried to create a system of evaluation that would work, but could not gain consensus.”
Browning’s impact has extended beyond the UNCW athletic department.
Browning has chaired several search committees and served as a member of the Web Coordination Committee, Printing Services Advisory Committee, UNCW Staff Council, Campus Wellness Committee, Human Resources Advisory Committee, Calendar Committee and Student Recreation Center Board.
He chairs the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee and served as co-chair of the campus-wide Relay for Life Committee that raised a record $80,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2008. In April of 2009, he was recognized by the UNCW Department of Communication Studies as its Outstanding Internship Director for the year.
In addition, Browning oversees a three-person staff that includes talented professionals Tom Riordan and Eric Rhew. He credits them along with many student workers, volunteers, and interns for helping him stay on top of the latest technological trends in this rapidly evolving field. Together, they have made UNCW’s media relations office one of the best in the country.
“Joe’s work ethic is unparalleled to put it simply,” Riordan said. “From the first day I arrived on campus, he’s
been in go mode. Rarely, if ever, have I heard him tell someone no it can’t/won’t be done. He likes to figure out ways to get things done. That means a lot to coaches and administrators that they’re being listened to and someone is trying to make something work.
"Joe’s experience and patience has been a blessing for me. I’ve been able to listen more and talk less and that’s helped foster work relationships with many people I work with in the department and the university.”
During his free time, Browning enjoys running, traveling, digital photography, spending quality time with his family and tackling the tasks involved with home ownership. He also reads, follows politics, and, of course, spending quiet time and solitude at nearby Wrightsville Beach.
"I’m truly thankful to God and my family, especially my loving wife, Mary, and supportive parents, for the life I’ve lived,” Browning said. “This profession has given me an opportunity to travel extensively, interact with people around the world, and learn something new every day. My advice to younger members in the profession is not to lose the personal touch. A quick email can never replace the kind gesture of making a phone call or writing a personal note.”
Those hallmarks are what has made Browning special and an athletics communications gem during a memorable career.