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CoSIDA Goodwill & Wellness Committee
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Communicators Outside the Lines Feature Series
This is the next profile in a series entitled
Communicators Outside the Lines: Better Yourself, Better Your Community produced by the CoSIDA Goodwill & Wellness Committee. Read past profiles at
CoSIDA.com/CommunicatorsOTL.
WE NEED YOUR IDEAS!
If you have any ideas for this series, which will revolve around CoSIDA member volunteerism and health and wellness, please contact Goodwill and Wellness Committee chair
Chris Mitchell, Washington University in St. Louis Assistant AD for Communications, at (618) 560-9280 or
mitchell@wustl.edu.
Q&A with Scottie Rodgers
Sun Belt Conference, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications
by Denise Thompson – Big Sky Conference, Assistant Commissioner/Communications and External Affairs
CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee member // CoSIDA Board of Directors
Scottie Rodgers, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications at the Sun Belt Conference, has been a longtime member of CoSIDA, currently serving as a member of the Special Awards and Diversity & Inclusion committees. With experience spanning over 25 years across different organizations and levels of college athletics, Rodgers is a strong and personable face that many have come to know. Rodgers moved to the New Orleans area in 2016 and has become a strong advocate for
Real Men Wear Pink of New Orleans.
Real Men Wear Pink = Men Fighting Breast Cancer
“When communities come together to fight breast cancer, great things happen. The Real Men Wear Pink movement has tapped into the power of pink, raising more than $6.5 million to support the American Cancer Society's mission to save lives from breast cancer.” –
Real Men Wear Pink Website
Q: How did you get started with Real Men Wear Pink of New Orleans?
Rodgers: In my role at the Sun Belt office, I serve as our primary contact for our conference-wide community initiatives. One of the partners I work with closely is the American Cancer Society. Through the relationships I have built, I have gotten to know many of the people who work on the ACS staff in the New Orleans area. Kate Kelley Bibens (Executive Director, South Region Louisiana Area) and Alex Davison (Senior Manager, Community Development) really encouraged me to join the Real Men Wear Pink movement so I decided to get engaged and do my part to make a difference in this wonderful community of New Orleans.
Q: Real Men Wear Pink of New Orleans raised $247,316.91 to finish sixth amongst all chapters last fall. What were some of the initiatives that New Orleans did that were unique to your area?
Rodgers: The Real Men in New Orleans were a very creative group. From events such as a volleyball tournament to a car wash to a pink-themed painting party, our collection of candidates were awesome in the ways they created opportunities to raise awareness and raise money in the fight against cancer.
Gallery: (3/5/2020) Scottie Rodgers Real Men Wear Pink
Q: You have been very vocal about your support of Real Men Wear Pink. What’s a moment/event that stands out to you?
Rodgers: What really stood out to me was how people were willing to support my #TurnNOLAPink campaign. I received online donations and messages of support from people I did not know. Cancer has affected so many people and there are so many ways people can show their support. It was humbling to have people from all walks of life take a few minutes to support my campaign.
Q: You were very active in your push for awareness of Real Men Wear Pink with your #TurnNOLAPink Brunch and Parade of Prizes Raffle. Why was it important to you to go above and beyond in your efforts to raise awareness and funds for this cause?
Rodgers: I have grown to better appreciate and understand the mission and goals of the American Cancer Society through all of the programs, services and support the organization provides to cancer patients and their families. It really hits home when you realize what is truly needed to support the millions affected by cancer and researchers working tirelessly to find the cure and rid the world of this awful disease. When I think about that, it made me want to do whatever I could to make a positive impact in any way I can.
Q: Not only did you support the cause on social media and at events, you did so in style? How has pink become a steady color in your wardrobe?
Rodgers: Every man, not just Real Men, needs to have pink as a part of his wardrobe. It's a great color, whether it is the primary color in a shirt or an accent color in a tie or pocket square. I try to be fashionable when I can so I have just added more and more items to wear that included pink. And over the years, I have gotten compliments when I have worn something that included pink. Luckily, I was ready to put my pink to work during my RMWP campaign.
Q: What impact has Real Men Wear Pink had on your position as a communications professional?
Rodgers: It reminded me that my communications skills developed working in college athletics can be used in projects and initiatives beyond sports. I created the #TurnNOLAPink hashtag as a unique way to brand my campaign and separate myself from the other candidates. I relied on the expertise and approaches I use daily as a communications professional in college athletics to develop a look and feel for my campaign and promote the key messages behind the Real Mean Wear Pink movement.
Q: How would someone get involved with the Real Men Wear Pink organization in their local community?
Rodgers: Contact the local American Cancer Society office in your city or area or
click here for more information.
Click here to learn more about CoSIDA's Goodwill and Wellness initiatives and find out how YOU can get involved.