Photo above: In 2014, Emma Trainor (with credential in front) was tasked with delivering the 1964 trophy for a Razorback football 50th anniversary celebration. Coach Frank Broyles holds the trophy with Kevin Trainor behind his left shoulder. All photos provided by Kevin Trainor.
Related Content
•
CoSIDA.com/CoSIDA360 Archive
This story is part of our November 2021 CoSIDA 360 package, to view more stories,
click here.
Young Professionals Spotlight: Following in her dad's footsteps
Inspired by her father, Emma Trainor is now cultivating a future in athletic communications
by Doug Vance – CoSIDA Executive Director
By a twist of fate, father-daughter career day for Kevin and Emma Trainor evolved unexpectedly at halftime on a football field in front of 72,000 cheering Arkansas fans with Emma positioned adjacent to her dad and holding a national championship trophy.
The spectacle provided an ambition inspiration for Emma and it couldn’t have come on a much bigger stage.
Emma, then 13, had her career touchstone moment in 2014 at Razorback Stadium as the athletic department recognized the 50th anniversary of its 1964 FWAA National Championship football team. Her dad, who serves as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Public Relations, had invited her to tag along with him that Saturday as he helped facilitate the recognition program.
He also used the occasion as a teachable moment for his daughter. It was Emma’s job to tote the national championship trophy to the field for the ceremony.
It proved to be a fortunate day for the father-daughter duo.
Kevin and Emma Trainor on the Arkansas football sideline.
The episode set a course for her future as it triggered Emma’s intent to follow in her dad’s footsteps and pursue a career in athletic communications. “It was amazing just being on the field with my dad and carrying the trophy. After being a part of that, I knew that I wanted a job in sports information,” she said.
Emma has embarked on the first steps of her career journey, working as a student assistant in the Oklahoma State University athletic communications office. Now a junior, she’s serving this year as the communications contact for the school’s nationally ranked equestrian team. In addition, she works in the football press box and contributes in all other sports.
She’s following a parallel path, working as a student assistant, that her dad and many other successful athletic communications professionals followed toward fulfilling a career ambition.
“I love the job,” Emma said. “This year, handling the responsibility of being an SID for a team, has challenged me to learn better time management approaches, improve my writing and get better in all aspects of the job.
Dad, of course, is her biggest proponent and welcomes the prospect of having another SID in the family. “We are proud of her and it’s exciting to see her evolve," Kevin said. "It’s been fun having her join me to work at bowl games and other conference events.”
Kevin and Emma Trainor with Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek.
“This is not something I intentionally encouraged,” added her dad. “I guess that I flung the door open for her to see how things are done behind the scenes. All those experiences have helped build the passion she is developing for the communications profession.”
Despite growing up under the influence of one of the most respected communication professionals in college athletics, Emma’s interest in her dad’s vocation was slow to materialize. She was aware of his work demands, but didn’t pay a lot of attention to what his job entailed.
“I had thoughts of maybe working as a teacher or pursuing a path in the medical profession,” Emma said. “Sports at an early age wasn’t a big thing for me.”
Sports now represents the most important thing as she prepares for her future.
Emma has a role model in her dad and, not unexpectedly, she’s profited from it in growing her development in athletic communications. “He’s in a high-profile position, but it’s not changed who he is. He’s humble and treats everyone with equal respect. He’s taught me about the value of networking and making connections. “
Emma’s mom, Ruth, as the spouse of an SID, understands the unavoidable time demands in the profession. She’s encouraged her daughter to find female role models for guidance.
“Emma has a lot of motivation and I know she’ll navigate through it,” Ruth said. “The job can involve a rigorous schedule. My hope is that she’ll find other females in the profession to mentor her as she moves forward.”
Emma has already developed an impressive resume of experiences. She has worked behind the scenes at five Cotton Bowls, a Rose Bowl and an Outback Bowl. She’s also contributed in media coordination at numerous Big 12 Conference championships and media days along with the SEC Football Media Day.
Looking ahead, the football post-season road show for father and daughter includes two of the highest-profile events in college football. She’ll join her dad serving on the media coordination team for the Cotton Bowl once again which this year is a College Football Playoff semifinal game.
A week later, it will be on to Indianapolis for more media coordination responsibilities at the CFP National Championship Game.
“Kevin is busting his shirt buttons with pride,” Ruth said. “He loves it. They are creating so many wonderful memories together.”
Talk about these stories on the CoSIDA Slack Community.