College Sports Information Directors of America

Cody Soto is in his third year working at his alma mater as an Assistant Director of Athletics Communications. He serves as the primary contact for Baylor women’s volleyball, men’s tennis, and equestrian and is the secondary contact for women’s basketball, the defending NCAA National Champions.
 
Soto’s other experience includes serving as assistant media coordinator for the NCAA Women’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, media coordinator for the NCEA National Championship, 2018 Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championship, and 2017 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. He has been on the media communications team for six different NCAA and Big 12 Championships – including the 2017 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Dallas.
 
As a Baylor undergraduate, Cody spent his final two years as an athletic communications student assistant. He prepped for that experience and his subsequent career by spending earlier college time writing for Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, DI Waco, Baylor Bear Insider and the Baylor Lariat. Soto won accolades from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Society of Professional Journalists for excellence in writing and reporting.

 

 
What have been the biggest highlights or most rewarding moments of your career to date?
I was lucky enough to travel with our Baylor women’s basketball team during the 2019 postseason, and the season ended in Tampa where Baylor beat Notre Dame in the NCAA title game. That was a pretty special moment. Hopefully, I can do it with more teams. Also, when our volleyball team was the No. 1 team in the nation for the first time in program history, seeing the players’ faces when they found out that ranking was priceless. There’s nothing like seeing your student-athletes’ dreams come true.

Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of, work-related or personal?
I was named the AVCA Southwest Sports Information honoree last summer, and that was pretty cool. It shows that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, and it gave me even more motivation to work hard for the volleyball team this season. It’s a credit to how open the staff and student-athletes are to media opportunities, and because of that, the ability to do my job is so easy with that team.
 

We are asking CoSIDA Recognition Week featured member to provide a professional development tip to share. What is yours?
Honestly, just be open to change and be able to try new things. Our field is constantly changing, so be flexible and be able to step up to tasks that weren’t necessarily on your job description. I learned a lot in my first year at Baylor by listening and asking questions.

Speaking of your position, how do you have fun at work?
I love spending time with my co-workers. Traveling with teams is one of my favorite parts. You build bonds with the coaches and support staff, and you build stronger connections with your student-athletes, and in turn it helps you do your job even better.

 

Who is the most important person at work you talk to during your day?
My coaches and student-athletes. It’s important for me to stay in-tune with their every day operations to share the stories of the season.

Do you have 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? 
Sean Doerre was a former SID at Baylor while I was an undergraduate communications student assistant in the office, and he showed a lot of hustle and commitment to his job. That’s what I try and bring to work each day. He had a good work ethic, and his strong character showed even in the longest days.

What's one communications/social/PR tool that you could not live without and why?
Does my iPhone count? I couldn’t do anything without it. My battery is always dying because I can’t stay off it! PR wise, I’m glad I discovered Adobe InDesign.