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Note: This story appeared in the Summer 2019 August edition of CoSIDA 360 Magazine. To view the full magazine, click here.
In The End, It's All About Family
As colleagues, we owe it to one another to make each other’s lives easier. Take the time to make sure your opponents have what they need. And every now and then, ask how they are doing.
by Amie Canfield – Vassar College, Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications
Communication. It’s what we do, it’s what drives us in our profession, but what are we doing to communicate with one another in a non-athletic capacity? When given the opportunity to write again for CoSIDA 360, my mind instantly went to best practices. Picking up the phone, reaching out on gameday and sending a ‘hello’ email were at the top of my list of points to make.
Given the time to really think about this topic, my mind couldn’t help going back to a keynote session at the 2019 CoSIDA Convention that truly made an impact on me. On the opening day of the convention, Dr. Derek Greenfield spoke to us about inclusion in our profession. His lessons were impactful, insightful and eye-opening, but there is one moment that I remember that I feel is important to talk about here on this platform.
It began when he asked us to take out our cell phones. I know — quite a challenge for an SID. Our task was to type in a number to text to and in the information line, share something that nobody knows about you. It did not matter the context, it didn’t matter when, but type it in and hit SEND.
All of the answers would then anonymously begin to appear on the big screen at the front of the room. So I took a moment, then a deep breath, typed and hit SEND. Suddenly, texts began to appear from my colleagues throughout the room, many that I knew, many that I didn’t. What I saw put tears in my eyes, and honestly, took my breath away.
“I’m gay.”
“I’m a sexual assault survivor.”
“I’ve hit rock bottom.”
“I don’t want to live anymore.”
“I put on a brave face everyday.”
“I’m a multiple suicide survivor.”
Comments continued to flood in and each time, I couldn’t help looking around the room and wonder: who could be hurting so bad? Is there a way that I can help? In that moment, my problems seemed so insignificant.
It was an exercise that showed me, in pure clarity, that no matter how well put together someone appears to be, we all have our issues. In a room full of my professional peers, it was truly a moment that I will not soon forget.
So let’s circle back to the beginning of this article. Picking up the phone, reaching out on gameday … what does this have to do with Dr. Greenfield’s exercise?
Honestly, in a world where social media rules the game, I feel like we’ve begun to forget about the personal communication side of this business.
We all have our challenges, but as friends, colleagues, and most importantly … FAMILY … it’s important now more than ever that we are there for one another. Veterans, rookies and everyone in between, we cannot be afraid throughout the year to pick up the phone and call someone. You never know how it might impact their day, their week or even their month. Take the time before playing an opponent to reach out and make sure they’ve got what they need and if there’s anything you can do to help, especially on those busy days.
Remember that we are communicators, we truly rock at what we do, but at the end of the day we need to communicate with one another. Not just at the Family Reunion — to quote the great Roy Pickerill — but all year long.
One of my most favorite television shows is called ‘Supernatural.’ It’s a show about two brothers who hunt monsters and demons. I know, what’s your point, Amie? What could that possibly have to do with athletic communications? Think about the quote below from the show for one moment:
“A wise man once told me family don’t end in blood, but it doesn’t start there either. Family cares about you, not what you can do for them. Family’s there through the good, bad, all of it. They got your back even when it hurts. That’s family.”
Every time I read this quote, I think about the amazing people in this profession. From the folks who have been my mentors, to the newest friends that I just made at this convention. As we launch into another year, take that extra moment to remember the family!
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