College Sports Information Directors of America

“I got involved in the CoSIDA Young Professionals committee because I felt that it would be an excellent opportunity to widen my horizon … The best advice I would give anyone is to get involved any way you possibly can! I have engaged with the CoSIDA mentorship program and the Young Professional committee for the first time this year. I wish I would have gotten involved quicker.”
- Nadine Leishman

A former four-year collegiate lacrosse student-athlete, Nadine Leishman has been a member of the Park athletic media relations staff for four years. Park University, located in Parkville, Missouri, is a NAIA institution and a member of the American Midwest Conference.

Leishman was part of the Park staff (along with former Park SID Steve Wilson and former assistant Eric Montgomery) recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a 2017-18 Grant Berger Media Award regional award winner. The honor goes to individuals and staffs who have been involved in the advancement volleyball through consistent coverage in all mediums.
 
What sparked your interest to pursue sports information as a career?
I was a junior at Waynesburg University when I had to take a sports information class that was part of my degree. After completing the course, I asked my Sports Information Director, Robert Fox, if I could continue to help in the office and at games. Everything that I was able to help with at Waynesburg is why I wanted to go into the field. After, that the rest is history.

What's the most rewarding part of the job?
The most rewarding part of my job is getting to know the student-athletes and not just covering them as athletes, but telling their stories off the court/field. When it comes to getting to know the student-athletes, all of them are impressed that I remember all of their names. At least once a day I have a couple or several student-athletes come into my office just to ask how things are and I ask how they are doing. Many freshmen or transfer students are amazed that I can remember their names just after meeting them once while taking their headshots.
 
Getting to know the student-athletes is very rewarding because I get to watch them grow over the years they are here and strive to the goals they have set for themselves. It is also rewarding to be able to write stories on their accomplishments on and off the court or field.
 
What made you want to get involved with the CoSIDA Young Professionals committee and what advice would you give to any younger SIDs looking to get involved?
I got involved in the CoSIDA Young Professionals committee because I felt that it would be an excellent opportunity to widen my horizon. I have been in this career path for four academic years now. For any younger SIDs looking about getting involved, this would be a great committee to get involved because we are all in the same boat with breaking into the field recently. The best advice I would give anyone is to get involved any way you possibly can! I have engaged with the CoSIDA mentorship program and the Young Professional committee for the first time this year. I wish I would have gotten involved quicker.
 
As a former student-athlete, how do you think that helps you a SID?
One big thing I’ve taken from the transition from student-athlete to being a SID is my time management skills. As a student-athlete I had to learn how to balance my education and time at practices or games. Time management has been able to help in my job because I'm basically doing it all over again, working on getting my master's degree right now.
 
Another thing that has helped me is having knowledge while a student-athlete of how much work went into just putting on games. I’ve taken my perspective as a student-athlete and transitioned it to being a SID, and that’s helped me make sure that I make things runs smoothly.
 
You’ve also spent time coaching along the way. You still coach girls' lacrosse while holding down your job and your master’s degree studies. What's your favorite aspect of coaching?
Yes, I'm still coaching girls' lacrosse. When I moved to Kansas City, Missouri for my job at Park University I came across a sign for Park Girls Lacrosse. I started off as the middle school head coach, and I just finished my second year as the head JV coach for our high school team. I think my favorite aspect of coaching is knowing I get to see the girls grow. I wanted to give back to the sport that I had the chance to play for nine years - and fell in love with after my first year playing. Seeing the girls having fun, and knowing I'm making an impact on all of their lives is the most important thing for me as a coach.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I like to enjoy time with friends, watching Netflix, fishing (when it is warm), and playing with my dog, Lucy. Back in the summer my boyfriend and I adopted our dog Lucy, and it has been the best thing we could have ever done. Lucy is a big part of my life now and coming home to her is the one thing that I love most.
 
Who are your mentors in the field?
I would start with my SID from Waynesburg University, Robert Fox, as he got me interested in this profession. Since coming into the field, I would say Steve Wilson, my former boss at Park (now director of athletics for Park University's new campus in Gilbert, Ariz.) and (Cornerstone’s) Aaron Sagraves have been great mentors. They both have played a significant role when it comes to my growth. Steve taught me many things in my first three years at Park, while Aaron became my mentor this summer through the CoSIDA mentor program, and he has been able to help me with the things I have come across this year. Without these three mentors, I'm not sure where I would be in the field.