This is the next profile Q and A in a series entitled
Communicators Outside the Lines: Better Yourself, Better Your Community produced by the CoSIDA Goodwill & Wellness Committee. Read past profiles at
CoSIDA.com/CommunicatorsOTL.
HAVE IDEAS OR MEMBERS TO NOMINATE FOR THIS SERIES?
If you have any ideas for this series, which will revolve around CoSIDA member volunteerism and health and wellness, please contact Goodwill and Wellness Committee chair
Chris Mitchell, Washington University in St. Louis Assistant AD for Communications, at (618) 560-9280 or
mitchell@wustl.edu.
Q&A with David Sherwood
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations and Game Operations, Wingate University
By Joe Browning, Senior Associate Athletic Director, UNCW
CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee member
David Sherwood has served as the sports information director at Wingate University since 1985 when he graduated from the school. He was elevated to assistant athletic director for sports information and game operations in 2004. In 2016, he received CoSIDA's Lester Jordan Award—presented annually to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America® program and for promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Sherwood receive his CoSIDA 25-year Award in 2010 and his involvement in CoSIDA includes over 20 years as a member of the Academic All-America® committee and a one-year stint on the Membership Services Committee. Sherwood has helped Wingate student-athletes earn Academic All-America® honors 86 times since 2000, the highest total in NCAA Division II. He also received the Bob Kenworthy Award from CoSIDA in 2003 given to members for their community involvement and accomplishments outside the sports information office.
Q. When did you realize you wanted to work in this profession and what was your first position? What prepared you in that first role to be a successful athletics communications professional?
SHERWOOD: I kept the scorebook for Charles Ray Williams’ Babe Ruth baseball team when I was 11-12 years old. I knew I wanted to be around sports, even then. I served as the basketball manager at Forest Hills High for four years. I kept the scorebook as well and got to call the newspapers with the results. These opportunities gave me a glimpse at what it means to deal with the media, covering games, keeping statistics, etc.
Q. You’re very active in your church. Why do you carve out time for church involvement when you’re so busy professionally? What ways are you involved?
SHERWOOD: Church life is very important to me. It is good to have a church family. I believe it's important to make time. I’ve worked with the Wingate Baptist Church youth group for 27 years. I’ve learned so much from my interactions with the future of our church and our world.
Q. With so many years of experience, what advice do you have for those considering the profession?
SHERWOOD: I would say write, write, and write. Good writing skills will take you a long way.
Q. What is your favorite sports moment since being at Wingate?
SHERWOOD: The opportunity to follow our 1987-88 women’s basketball team as they won 33 games in a row on the way to the NAIA Final Four has to top the list. There are so many I could name, but this would be number one.
Q. What are the advantages of working at an NCAA Division II institution like Wingate as compared to a larger institution?
SHERWOOD: The opportunity to get to know folks outside of athletics is number one to me. I’ve never worked at a big school, but I have been so fortunate at Wingate to get to know many wonderful people outside of athletics. Of course, the relationships one builds with co-workers (coaches, athletic administrators) is a big plus. We have a great athletic department at Wingate. I have been so richly blessed from my time at Wingate.
Q. You’re very involved with CoSIDA’s Academic All-America program and have been honored by our organization on two occasions. What do you enjoy most about working with the Academic All-America® program?
SHERWOOD: The chance to see our student-athletes honored from their hard work in the classroom is very gratifying for me. One of the joys of working at a Division II school is you get to know student-athletes, even from the sports you don’t cover and you know how hard they work to be the best they can be. We should celebrate this.
As far as working on the committee, I love having the opportunity to attend the Academic All-America® Hall of Fame ceremonies. The AAA program is CoSIDA’s crown jewel. I hope it will continue to flourish.
Q. How much longer do you see yourself working in the profession and what would you like to do that you haven’t done?
SHERWOOD: Honestly, I haven’t given this much thought, although I have had (at least) two people ask me this year, ‘When are you going to retire?’ I’d like to work 6-8 more years, then travel.
Q. Outside of work, how do you relax and make time for yourself? What do you do to unwind?
SHERWOOD: I love watching Jeopardy. One of my bucket list items is to appear on a game show. I enjoy reading devotions and hearing what other people have to say about the Bible. I love music. I could listen to music all day.
Q. We travel a lot in this profession. Is there a trip that’s been the most memorable? What destination would you like to return to and visit again?
SHERWOOD: I got to travel to the Bahamas with Coach Parker Laketa and the Wingate men’s basketball team. I think I would like to go back to the Bahamas when I didn’t have to work.
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