College Sports Information Directors of America

"People remain at the heart of our interactions. They matter a great deal. Their perspectives matter. Take time to truly listen and consider opposite points of view. Learn from them and be kind."
- Kurt Svoboda

Kurt Svoboda may wear Maize-and-Blue polos and gets to spend part of his fall watching football from one of America's most iconic venues, but it's his small-school roots that have helped him become one of the most accomplished athletic communications professionals in the country.

From his first job working at Franklin Pierce University (N.H.) and the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) to stops at Saint Anselm, Harvard, Stanford and now Michigan, Svoboda has remained grounded and true to his values of service. Svoboda also displayed service by coaching baseball and handling the role of Deputy Commissioner of the NECBL where he handled contracts.

"People remain at the heart of our interactions," said Svoboda, who serves as Michigan's Associate AD For External Communications & Public Relations. "They matter a great deal. Their perspectives matter. Take time to truly listen and consider opposite points of view. Learn from them and be kind.

"I cherish the opportunity to speak with staff members and help guide people who want to be great in this field and in life. You have to take risks and embrace failure. I love failure and feel that it is not discussed enough as a positive tool for development."

Svoboda has conquered his share of adversity during his career.

"I am also dyslexic so that presented challenges before I understood my own learning style," Svoboda said. "I had to embrace time management skills, actively engage with my professors, and embrace the fact that nobody was going to hold my hand. In terms of working in college athletics today, time management continues to come into play. There are so many things competing for our attention."

The eyes of the college football universe will be on Columbus, Ohio as Michigan and Ohio State meet in a game later this month with its usual significance surrounding it especially with the Wolverines ranked fourth in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Despite the hype around the game, Svoboda and his talented staff treats it like any other event.

"I am fortunate to have worked at some amazing institutions with their own unique cultures and, yes, rivalries," Svoboda said. "I strive to remain balanced in my approach to all tasks but it is appropriate to note an uptick in energy around special games.

"In terms of remaining focused during rivalry games, we are grounded by the knowledge that our work remains the same - it's just that our audience size grows exponentially and the "pace" picks up. Luckily, I am surrounded by a large and talented staff, including my main football contacts and a large digital team with specialized skill sets."

Svoboda has always been about people.

He gives back to CoSIDA's membership by presenting in educational webinars, and moderated a panel during last June's CoSIDA convention. He also volunteered to be part of the 2018 convention's newest initiative - the immensely popular hands-on, small-group Educational Lounge sessions. Svoboda came up with the idea for the "Career Builder: Mock Job Interview" session, and was gracious enough to spend more than two hours of the scheduled one-hour breakout session with the attendees, giving them total attention, role-playing opportunities while answering all their questions.

Svoboda generously gives back because he has been influenced by numerous members of the profession who took time to educate and mentor him.

"Among individuals, Bruce Kirsh is the AD who gave me my start," Svoboda said. "He is an imposing figure, nicknamed "Bruiser," but he cared deeply for others and had an incredible perspective on organizations and culture. He taught me so much. Chuck Sullivan, formerly of Harvard and now the Assistant Commissioner of Communications at the American Athletic Conference, was always someone who I admired for his ability to churn out quality work and remain even-keeled at all times. Chris Yandle has left the field but is someone that I have and will continue to follow (even though he turned down a job offer of mine years ago!). I also must highlight Carter Henderson at Washington. He is simply exceptional in his process as well as his care for others.

"I have been and remain highly influenced by everyone who has worked for and alongside me. I simply would not have received some of my career opportunities without the shared successes of my network."

Outside of the office, Svoboda spends as much time as possible with his wife, Joanna, who is a classical flutist, and son Jaxon. Svoboda is also displays talents as a chef and loves to cook.

"The one constant for me has been the unashamed inclusion of my family at work and work-related functions," Svoboda said. "I take the job very seriously but those who know me will also note that I have become a pushover since the birth of my son! Our work is important but being a father is the best, and most important job I will ever have."