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Megan Hardin (Southwestern University (Texas)), Rising Star Award – College Division
by Dave Reed, Colorado College Athletic Communications Associate Director
Megan Hardin and her children, son Alex and daughter Avery,
decked out for the annual Reindeer Run in Georgetown, Texas.
It would be difficult to identify sports information directors who have accomplished as much as Southwestern University’s
Megan Hardin during their first eight years in athletics communications.
Since accepting the position in 2009, Hardin made an inspiring transition from being an assistant basketball coach at Howard Payne University to one of the most accomplished SIDs in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Hardin played an integral role in several projects for the Southwestern athletics department. She improved the Pirates’ social media presence, led redesigns of the athletics website and logos, and successfully launched a branding campaign as well as the first merchandise site specifically for athletics.
Considering her impressive list of accomplishments, it’s no surprise the former college basketball player was a slam dunk recipient of the 2017 CoSIDA Rising Star Award for the college division.
“Besides, obviously, being so honored I really feel like this award is a testament to this profession and the individuals within it,” Hardin said. “I started in sports information with no background, no idea how to use any programs or what standard protocol was. I fumbled my way through that first year and through the mentoring and patience of so many I have been able to grow in this profession.”
Prior to joining SU’s athletics department, Hardin worked for three years in the school’s career services office as the internship development assistant. Despite having no formal training in athletics communications as a student intern or assistant, her experience as a student-athlete at Simpson College made her the perfect candidate for the promotion.
“While my husband, Drew, was deployed the second time, I decided to get my master’s degree in higher education,” Hardin said. “Through that program I did a practicum in the sports information office. The SID at the time took a new position in late August, opening the door for me to dive in and get involved in every aspect. I worked in both offices that year and then was offered the position full-time in June the following year.”
Hardin’s efforts were noticed immediately by everyone in the athletic department, especially the coaches. She was the sole contact for all 13 sports before football was reinstated, promoting student-athletes for a vast array of conference and national awards, doing so with grace and style that shines a positive light on the department and campus.
“The entire coaching staff admires her work rate and unyielding professionalism in keeping up with in-season stats, videos, results and subsequent maintenance of the ‘Go Pirates’ website,” said Don Gregory, head coach of the men’s soccer team. “Megan is a valuable part of our department and is well-known across campus as a humble and dedicated member of our community.”
Hardin has had a similar impact with her SCAC colleagues, especially in the way she has embraced the latest trends in social media and her ability to adopt and implement technology. Her work has led to similar changes at other SCAC institutions.
“Megan is a joy to know,” said Tim Clark, the sports information director at Texas Lutheran University. “She is a team player who revels in the sharing of new ideas and new methods.
“All who know Megan know her dedication to her profession, her care and compassion for her colleagues, and her thoughtful implementation of a variety of ways to best promote student-athletes and collegiate sports.”
In addition to her stellar Southwestern efforts, Hardin displayed the same level of commitment to CoSIDA after attending her first convention in St. Louis in 2012. Since then, she has been active through her committee work as well as a convention panelist on multiple occasions.
“I have known Megan for the past four years through her involvement in the CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee,” said Gallaudet University’s Sam Atkinson. “She joined the committee during the 2013-14 school year and became an instant contributor to the group. In the past few years, she has stepped into a leadership role on the committee and now serves as the vice-chair.”
Hardin also is committed to wellness in her personal life, competing in events such as the half-marathon Texas Independence Relay and other half marathons and triathlons as part of the Georgetown Triathletes.
The one thing Hardin loves more than her work with Southwestern and CoSIDA is her family. And one of the benefits of her position in athletics communication is the ability to have her daughter, Avery, and son, Alex, accompany her at the office and events.
“My husband has been the single biggest supporter of my professional ambitions,” Hardin said. “He knows the strange hours, irregular schedule and odd requests that come up regularly and adjusts his schedule as needed to make our household run smoothly.”
It also helps to have a work environment where her children are welcomed with open arms.
“My coworkers are fantastic and treat my kids like their own,” Hardin said. “Avery has played soccer with our administrative assistant in the waiting room, student-athletes have ridden the elevator and played games with Alex, and our softball coach has taken them to bowling class or the gym for an hour so I can conduct interviews or have meetings.
“Those are just a few of the examples of the support and commitment to a family dynamic within the department; and it starts with our athletic director Dr. Glada Munt,” Hardin noted. “The genuine care and support here is undoubtedly the biggest benefit I receive from Southwestern and why I love it here so much!”
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