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CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID
This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2018. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.
Natalie Davis – Copiah-Lincoln Community College Director of Public Relations/Sports Information
by Lindy Brown, Duke University Senior Associate Sports Information Director
Davis on the sidelines at a Co-Lin women’s basketball game.
Natalie Davis is one of the “deans” of athletic communications in the state of Mississippi with over two decades of work in the sports information field. In addition to her SID role at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi, a small town of 2,000 located 50 minutes south of Jackson, Mississippi. Copiah-Lincoln sponsors eight sports and is a member of the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges (MACJC), one of the two conferences that make up the NJCAA’s Region XXIII. Davis is a current member and a past president of the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM), a member of the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR), Mississippi Tobacco Free Coalition, and is a past member of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She has earned numerous awards from the Mississippi Press Association, College Public Relations Association of Mississippi, and the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations.
Looking back on your career, what sparked your interest in athletics communication? How did you get your start?
I have always loved sports. I played high school basketball and softball and both of my children played sports in high school. I’ve always read the sports section of a newspaper so when I was hired as the Director of Public Information and it included sports writing.
You are one of the longest-serving SIDs in the state of Mississippi. What makes Copiah-Lincoln Community College such a special place?
I work with some of the most awesome coaches, faculty and staff members. It’s definitely the people who make Co-Lin a special place.
Who were some of your early influences in the profession? How have they helped shape your career?
My advisor/instructor at Ole Miss, the late S. Gale Denley, was probably the most influential. He took time out of his day, no matter what he was doing at the time, to stop and answer questions, encourage me, and give advice. Another person who I admire and made an impact on my career is Tom Goetz. I worked with him at the local newspaper for 15 years. Tom was the sports editor at the newspaper for over 40 years. He had a special way of writing sports and he had great relationships with all of the area coaches. Even when people didn’t always agree with what he had to say, they respected him and his opinion. He’s partially retired now and we remain good friends.
What's been some of your most meaningful accomplishments during your career?
I never dreamed I would be working in the field of education. When I first started at Co-Lin as the public information director, I had the opportunity to teach Journalism and advise the student newspaper and radio station. To watch our student’s graduate from Co-Lin and go on to be successful at four-year institutions and know that I maybe had a little part of their success is so fulfilling to me.
Another accomplishment that meant a lot to me was being one of the first Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges female sports information directors in the state. When I started my career at Co-Lin there were only two of us in the and for many years I was the only one. The other SIDs in the state have been more than willing to assist me my entire career. It never made a difference to them that I was a woman.
How has your role changed over the years at Copiah-Lincoln Community College?
When I first started in July of 1999, we were sending out press release through the mail and using color 35mm film. When one-hour photo processing came to Walmart, I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread! Then came faxing stories to newspapers and media outlets. As we have grown into the digital age with email, Internet, athletic web sites, and social media, I’ve had to adapt with technology.
Being the director of public relations and sports information with 10 varsity sports during this time was a challenge. I was able to hire a sports information coordinator three years ago to help me with the work load. I now have a staff of three, a sports information coordinator, public relations coordinator and an assistant/graphic designer. We have come a long way in 19 years.
Shooting from the sidelines at a MACJC basketball
tournament.
What's been the most enjoyable part of your time in athletic communications?
The most enjoyable part of my time in athletic communications has been telling the stories of our student-athletes. They all have different stories to tell of where they came from and how they ended up in community college. Watching them grow on the field and in the classroom and being able to watch them play on Saturdays has been so much fun.
What’s your expert advice for someone who is new to the athletics communications field? What skills should they have, and how should they approach the demanding job?
The most important advice I can give someone new is to find time for yourself and your family. The field of athletic communications is a very demanding job with odd hours.
On the community college level, working eight or 10 sports can be brutal, especially in the spring when you have men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and golf and they all play on the same day. You have to take time for yourself and get away for at least a few hours. Whether it’s attending a yoga class, turning your phone off and eating a meal with your family or watching a movie, you need to get away from the job for a short time.
With someone who has two children [Leah (John) and Paul] and a grandson, how have you managed to have a good work/life balance over the years? What advice would you have for those struggling with this?
I was fortunate enough that my school president allowed me to attend ball games and events that my children were involved in. I didn’t miss any of their activities in high school and only missed three baseball games my son played in at the community college level. Spend time with your family - the work will be there after they go to bed. Make sure you find a hobby or an activity that you enjoy doing and do it! You will find that taking a break and coming back to the work will give you a better perspective and you will get the job done faster.
What are your outside interest/hobbies, and how do you find time for them?
My hobbies include going to auctions and estate sales (I have a small side business reselling vintage goods), watching sports (especially the Atlanta Braves), and of course, babysitting my grandson, Sam. I also go down to Orange Beach, Alabama to recharge and yes, I take my laptop to work when I’m down there.
Do you have a professional development tip you could provide?
CoSIDA is a great place to get professional development. The webinars and CoSIDA Connect are great tools. I can always find an answer to a question by asking others in the profession. The CoSIDA convention is a great place to network and get valuable information.