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Debbie Darrah Photo Gallery
Debbie Darrah (Texas A&M University) - CoSIDA 25-Year Award
by Diane Nordstrom, University of Wisconsin Associate Director of Athletic Communications/CoSIDA Special Awards Committee chair
Darrah with Stacy Sykora, 2008 Olympic volleyball silver medalist.
It's not too often that you find a sports information director who gives up a good-paying job in the corporate world to take an internship for only $800 a month. But that's exactly what happened to
Debbie Darrah back in 1989.
Darrah, a Texas A&M assistant director of media relations, will receive a 25-Year Award from the College Sports Information Director of America (CoSIDA) at the organization's convention on June 30 in National Harbor, Maryland. She will be honored during the Special Awards luncheon on Saturday, June 30.
After graduating from the University of Texas-Arlington with a degree in business management, Darrah said she spent three years working in a "boring corporate job at a management consulting firm in downtown Dallas."
Darrah then volunteered at the 1989 Southwest Conference Basketball Tournament in Dallas and found her passion.
"I ended up taking a few days off from my 'real' job to help out at the tournament and absolutely loved everything about it," explains Darrah. "The people, the atmosphere, the competitions, all the behind-the-scenes activity, I was in heaven."
Darrah worked for future CoSIDA Hall of Famers Bo Carter and Charlie Fiss as well as Bob Gennarelli at the tournament and stayed in touch with all three. She applied for an internship in the SWC office but was not offered the job at first "because they thought I'd be crazy to leave a good paying job with great benefits to take an internship where I would be making only $800 a month. I might have been their second choice, but when they called to offer, I instantly said 'YES!' and I have never, not even for a second, regretted my decision."
Darrah has spent the last 27 years working at Texas A&M, the place she calls home.
"Texas A&M is a special place, especially because of the friendly, family atmosphere and the incredible people," says Darrah. "I've loved working with the student-athletes, covering them throughout their college careers and then keeping in touch with them after they go out into the real world.
"I'm surprised that it's already been 25-plus years since I got into the profession. It's definitely not a boring job, and it has been so fun working with wonderful people, some who have become my best friends, and having many great experiences. The time has truly flown by."
In addition to her duties with the Aggies' women's volleyball and women's tennis teams, Darrah has served as a media contact for numerous international competitions.
She has assisted at three Olympic Games, including the 2000 Sydney Games where she saw two of her former athletes compete for Team USA. Stacy Sykora was USA Volleyball's starting libero while Jennifer McFalls scored the gold-medal winning run for USA Softball.
Darrah also worked the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto; 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2005 World University Games in Izmir, Turkey; 1999 Softball Junior World Championships (Taipei, Taiwan); and the 1999 Pan American Games (Winnipeg, Manitoba).
"The Olympic Games are the ultimate competition, with athletes on the world stage," said Darrah. "Another highlight was walking with Team USA behind the American flag in the opening ceremonies at the 2005 World University Games in Turkey.
"I love to travel to destinations that I wouldn't go to on my own and experience the different cultures as well as the international flair at the events. The challenges of communicating with the locals in foreign countries has resulted in some memorable and humorous experiences!"
Darrah's love for travel may be something in her blood. She was born in Germany due to her father's service in the Army. Her family also lived in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Atlanta; Havre de Grace, Maryland; San Antonio; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and Vienna, Virginia. She moved to the Dallas area the summer before seventh grade and since then, has never left the state.
"Texas is definitely home for my family and me," Darrah said. "I cherish having my immediate family within a three-hour drive."
Darrah also found a family in sport information. She regularly travels with two of her best friends in the business - CoSIDA Hall of Fame member Julie Bennett, recent Baylor retiree, and Joni Lehmann of the Big 12 Conference. The trio have gotten together every summer over the last few years and this summer are anxiously looking forward to an Alaskan cruise.
In fact, Bennett did a favor for Darrah during the 1989 NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship in Hawaii and Darrah returned the favor in the early 1990s, helping Bennett get a job in the sports information office at Baylor. Bennett's daughter and son-in-law now live in College Station, and Darrah recently helped the son-in-law get into A&M's pool of PA announcers.
"The best part of the profession is all the long-lasting friendships you build with co-workers, colleagues, student-athletes and others," said Darrah. "I love the times spent traveling with the teams and getting to know the student-athletes on a more personal level. Many of them become like extended family, and it's always fun to reconnect with them no matter how long they have been out of school.
"I don't have kids of my own, but when someone asks me if I do have kids, I jokingly tell them that I have a bunch of 18 to 40-something year olds."
At Texas A&M where she has been mentored by CoSIDA Hall of Fame member and 2018 Arch Award recipient Alan Cannon, Darrah has some very good advice to anyone willing to last as long as she has.
"I think it is imperative to surround yourself with good people, have a strong work ethic, be committed, be respectful, honest and professional and pay attention to details," said Darrah. "Obviously this profession requires us to work long hours, weekends and holidays, so be sure to make time for yourself. Most importantly, find a job and place that you enjoy. It might not be the highest paying job, but life is too short to have a job you don't enjoy."