College Sports Information Directors of America

Romanda Noble-Watson has been a monument of excellence during her stellar athletics communications career that has spanned stops at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Howard, South Carolina State and Claflin. She even still has the same phone number she had in 2006.
 
Recently married to LTC (R) Anthony L. Watson, Romanda has advanced the profession through her pleasant personality, passionate work-ethic and dedication to mentoring others. Romanda also spends extensive time volunteering for the NCAA and CoSIDA organizations, including serving  on the NCAA Division I Women’s College World Series media coordination team, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Regional Committee (Region III) and  the NCAA Stats Advisory Board. In CoSIDA, she serves on the Special Awards Committee and is involved in the Mentorship Program.
 
In this Q&A, Romanda shares her experiences on performing at a high level in the office and at home.

 

 
What's one communications/social/PR tool that you could not live without and why? 
I would have to say my phone and not for the reasons many my think. I live away from my entire family and that’s the only way they have to communicate with me other than through my husband. I have had my same phone number since 2006 - so if you are important person in my life then you can get in contact with me easily!
 
What have been the most memorable and/or rewarding moments of your career?
Mentoring. I stay on the black college level to serve not only as a SID but as a mentor. I’ve had several opportunities to go to other institutions, including Power 5-level opportunities, but I chose my path. Growing up in an inner city, I knew my chances of running into others who grew up like me were greater at a HBCU and I wanted to be that voice to let them know that no matter where you come from, no matter what school you attend, you chart your own course. I tell my student-athletes, NEVER let the fact that you go to a HBCU deter your dreams. If you have the skills, they will find you. 

 

 
We are asking each Recognition Week featured member to provide a professional development tip to share. What is yours?
First, at any cost, attend CoSIDA conventions and get involved. I’ve only missed two since I started in this career in 1997 and that was due to illness. I know it can sometimes be a financial burden on the institution, but it is worth every penny. (Editors note: Remember you can apply for a Convention Attendance Grant, starting in December!) I have taken something from each convention and implemented it into my office.
 
Next, never stop learning. There’s always something to learn. Lean on those of us who have been doing it a while and use the younger generation to learn what the student-athletes are looking for. ALWAYS remember, we do it for the student-athlete.
 
Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of? 
There are two. Work-wise, I have several athletes who I have covered who have played/competed professionally or who still compete professionally, and they make me proud whenever I hear them speak to the media knowing I had a hand in training them. They are also generous individuals; no matter when I reach out to them, they are always willing to help. Personally, marrying my husband Anthony. I got married late in life and I thank God everyday for instilling in me the patience (at least for this) for finding the right one to complete me and make me better. He makes me better every day and I thank God and him for that.

 

 
What’s the key to balancing married life and the SID life?
The number one key for me is to be as inclusive as possible. I invite my husband Anthony to games and trips whenever he’s available. We will drive or fly together and enjoy one another’s company whenever I have down time. Sometimes he even helps.
 
How do you feel being married has helped you in your career and with your role at Claflin? 
Being married has helped me stay balanced. Before meeting my husband, I used to work a lot because there was nothing else for me to do for the most part, so I would work late hours to avoid being home alone. Marriage has definitely helped me in my career in as much as I can go home vent and have someone ALWAYS tell me it will be ok and offer ways of helping me move forward.
 
What’s the biggest career lesson that you’ve learned?
TAKE A VACATION … My first five years in the profession, I did not take a vacation and now I take two annually (thanks to NCAA DII shutting down competition during the Christmas break).
 
What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Work hard, know what you know, ask questions and meet someone new every place you go and keep in touch with them. For instance, if you go to a school you have never been to, don’t be afraid to talk to the SID or AD or whomever; you never know how they can help you or you can help them.

 

 
Who is the most important person at work you talk to during your day? 
I generally talk to everyone. If it’s something extremely important and I have to talk to someone I call my husband. If it relates to work and I need to talk with someone professionally or need some advice on how to address a situation, I call Ed Hill over and over until I get him to answer, lol!
 
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
I don’t like to be yelled at. I tune individuals out or just say okay and then tune them out from the moment they raise their voice until they lower their tone. I try to make every effort to respect everyone and expect them to do the same.
 
Do you have any favorite quotes to share with us?
I don’t like to say they are quotes, but that they are just words I live by. They were given to me by my mother when I first started working at the age of 14. The first thing she told me was what you can’t get done in the first eight you will get done in the next eight. The second is: Don’t let your job define you; you define it. Finally, she told me that you are there to get the job done, not to make friends.
 
I know this sound very harsh but that’s the one I carry with me the most. While I have made life-long friends, gained some kids (I have no biological kids but plenty of kids at all my school stops!) and a couple of mentors/mentees through this profession, I don’t need anyone’s approval or friendship to get the job done. I LOVE what I do, but by no means do I need to make friends to get my job done.
 
Tell us about any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life.
The two men who influenced my career were Donald Huff (longtime Washington Post writer) and CoSIDA Hall of Famer Edward Hill, Jr. who retired a few years ago from Howard University. These two men are more of a father to me than mentors. Donald Huff, who has an award named after him in Washington, DC, gave me my start as an undergrad so I like to say that because of him, I am. 
 
Ed Hill is many things to me - my dad, my mentor, my confidant, my teacher. He is the one who helped me advance through this profession. I was his first-ever assistant at Howard University and he taught me so many things as it relates to navigating through the profession. He is the one that taught me that vacations are important and helped develop my writing skills.