College Sports Information Directors of America

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This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2020-21. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.


Jasmine Washington – Southern Conference, Media Relations Assistant
by Rob Knox – UNC Greensboro, Associate AD for Strategic Communications / CoSIDA Past President

“There are so many Black student-athletes, but you don’t see much (ethnic diversity) representation on a staff or from the decision makers. Especially with Black women. I want to be able to be a part of that change. I want to increase the amount of Black voices in the room.
 
And, for veterans in our profession, don’t be afraid to take a chance on someone who has little experience. Be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking because this industry changes day by day.” 
- Jasmine Washington, Southern Conference Media Relations Assistant

One of the newest full-time athletic communications professionals in CoSIDA, Jasmine Washington became the Southern Conference media relations assistant this past July 13. A May 2020 graduate of Maryland, she was a media relations intern for the Terrapins, serving as the primary contact for the track & field and cross country programs. Read more on Jasmine and why she re-directed her career path from non-profit work outside of sports and a potential interest in studying law toward athletic communications.
 

Jasmine Washington, the new media relations assistant at the Southern Conference, used to have doubts.
 
“When I served as the president of the University of Maryland chapter of NAACP, I received the 2018-19 Barack Obama Presidential Award for my commitment to the organization as chapter president,” said Washington, who graduated from Maryland this past May with a double major in public relations and criminology/criminal justice.
 
“That same year, I led my executive board to the 2018-19 Organization of the Year honor. It’s rewarding because I doubted myself so much throughout my time as president. It was one of the most trying and difficult times to navigate. However, I learned one thing. No matter how hard things get and no matter how much doubt you have in yourself, your hard work will pay off and people noticed the effort you are putting into the work you do.”
 
Washington’s work and her passion for social justice and mental health has led to her playing a significant role on the Southern Conference’s Racial Equity Task Force. In her SoCon media relations role, Washington serves as the task force’s marketing chair. In the lead up to SoCon’s Unity Week, which will run this next week (Jan. 25-29), Washington has created the social media marketing plan.
 
“I was asked to be on the task force after a conversation with a fellow staff member about the SoConVotes initiative to encourage voting efforts that I had worked on,” Washington said. “She believed I would add value to this group. In my first subcommittee meeting, I stepped up and volunteered to serve as the chair of the marketing subcommittee. That was a big move for me.
 
“I am proud to be serving on a committee working to bring change to our industry. It’s time to be comfortable being uncomfortable. There is no more time to be scared to stand up for what is right. I’m blessed to be able to combine my job with fighting and raising awareness for racial justice.”
 
 
A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Washington attended the University of Maryland. She answered an email with the subject “seeking a media relations intern” - and the rest is history. She learned much from the talented Terrapin staff.
 
“I had no experience in sports PR prior to this student position, because I was so focused on nonprofit work and the thought of potentially going to law school,” noted Washington. “That email was the first step to help me find my passion. It changed my career path. I was asked why I wanted to intern with the department. I said, ‘There are so many Black student-athletes, but you don’t see much representation on the staff or in the decision makers. Especially with Black women. I want to be able to be a part of that change. I want to increase the amount of Black voices in the room.”
 
She’s also smashing barriers with her creativity in branding and messaging. Washington has her own brand, “J. Lee Digital,” creating logos and helping businesses with their branding efforts.
 
“The most enjoyable part of this profession is telling the stories of student-athletes while supporting them in every way I can,” she stated. “It is important to realize that under that jersey or uniform, our student-athletes are more than the just the number of goals, touchdowns or three-pointers they make. They serve a bigger purpose in life and it is our responsibility as SIDs to help them find that purpose and share their stories, while supporting them in every way we can. We need to always show we care.”
 
And, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Washington is finding success working on the SoConVotes initiative, the Racial Equity Task Force and the J.Lee Digital line.
 
While a Maryland undergraduate, Washington was extremely busy, connected and successful outside her NAACP chapter work. A member of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Communication honor societies, she completed public relations/communications internships at the West End Strategy Team in Washington, D.C., and at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism in College Park, Maryland.
 
“My advice to people is don’t doubt yourself,” Washington said. “You are where you are for a reason and you deserve everything that you have. It’s OK to make mistakes. Just make sure you learn from them. For veterans in our profession, don’t be afraid to take a chance on someone who has little experience. Be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking, because this industry changes day by day.”