Dajah Mincey joined the athletic communication staff at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock University as a graduate assistant in the summer of 2021 after earning an undergraduate degree from The Rock in 2020. Mincey competed as a thrower on the women's track and field team and also served as a student assistant, then a student intern, in the athletic communications office.
Currently, she is directly responsible for handling all the SID duties for the SRU men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s basketball and softball teams.
Hear more from Mincey about her undergraduate competitive days, what drew her into the athletic communications field, her thoughts as a new SID, her general assessment of being a young professional, and how she spends her free time.
What drew you to track & field growing up and made you decide to pursue the sport at the collegiate level?
DM: I was a three-sport athlete growing up playing field hockey, basketball and track and field, but the sport I found the most fun and most interesting ended up being track and field. I liked it because I was responsible for my own success, although there was the team element to it. I had to be the best version of me to be able to win an event which I liked holding myself accountable for. It taught me a lot of self-discipline and also kept me very well grounded so I continued to participate at the collegiate level.
Mincy competing for Slippery Rock, throwing the javelin during an outdoor track and field season.
How did you find sports information as a career path?
DM: During undergrad studies in sport management at Slippery Rock, we took classes on the different job fields that fall under the sport management umbrella. I’m a fan of watching all different sports productions and thought it was intriguing to know what all goes on behind the scenes to make a production possible. So, when presented with the opportunity, I became a student worker for the athletic communication office and loved it immediately.
What about athletic communications and media relations made you interested in the profession while in school?
DM: Sports information interests me because I like seeing the big picture out of all the little things. I like knowing how intricate of a process it is to get that final result out to viewers and all that goes into a well-organized sports information department.
As a former student-athlete while also running track for Slippery Rock, how did you balance being a student, your track practice schedule, and your duties as an student assistant, and then as an SID intern with more responsibilities later on?
DM: Being a student-athlete is a full-time job. The important thing to remember is that being a student always comes first and most coaches understand that. At Slippery Rock we were fortunate to have multiple lifting/practice time slots that we could pick from to get our workouts and reps in. This really helped work around our school schedule.
When it came to being an intern, I was also fortunate enough that my supervisors Jon Holtz (Director of Athletic Communication) and Tyler McIntosh (Assistant Director) knew I was a student-athlete and let me form my intern hours around practices and meets and work on some of my writing/research duties on the road if need be. The key really was communication by keeping all of my professors, coaches and supervisors informed regarding any schedule conflicts I had, and managing my time well.
Mincey’s family (Dajah, mom, two sisters, brother, and nephew) going to a Washington Football Team NFL game.
What were the most valuable experiences you gained while interning in the athletic communication department?
DM: When I was an intern, I was lucky to have supervisors who already knew me as a student worker and knew my experience level, so they trusted me to be a little more hands-on with things. I was given the opportunity to be the primary contact for the women’s tennis team as well as learn the LiveStats program for women’s basketball. I was given hands-on opportunities and that was so valuable to me because I am a very hands-on learner.
When taking on a job or internship, what type of impressions do you hope to leave on your supervisors and co-workers?
DM: I want to leave an impression of a hard working and dedicated worker. I put my all into what I learn as well as what I produce as work. I like to stay focused while also having fun. I do hope that in every setting that when I leave the room a positive impact was left on whoever I encountered while there.
Dajah Mincey Doing statistics at a men’s soccer game at Slippery Rock’s James Egli Field.
What is your favorite part about your role as a GA and the sports information field as a whole?
DM: My favorite part about being a graduate assistant as well as the sports information field is that I’m putting out work for people to enjoy. When it comes to doing a live stream or doing stats for a game, no job is minute. Each component from running a camera down to calling plays all puts the pieces of a really cool picture together for viewers and fans to enjoy.
What do you do in your free time outside of work?
DM: Most of my free time outside of work is dedicated to my dog, Durango (Dingo), who I treat as if he were my son! I take him on hikes, we go to the dog park, or we just try to discover new places for him to experience. I got him as a puppy during the pandemic so for a whole year he was used to me always being home. Now that I am back to working, I try to give every free second I have to him!
Dajah Mincey's dog Durango (nicknamed Dingo) on a hike in Frostburg, Maryland.
If any, what challenges have you faced in this industry thus far as a woman as well as a minority, both as a student-athlete and a graduate assistant?
DM: I am fortunate enough that I have not found much hardship during my time as a student-athlete and GA at Slippery Rock — and I attest that to the quality people that I get to work with. The only issues I have run into are in regards to being a woman and being put in a position of being talked to as just a female — as opposed to a young SID professional.
I’m thankful to have supervisors that I can confide in regarding any situation that makes me feel uncomfortable or inferior, and they do all they can to rectify the situation immediately. I live my everyday life not seeing myself as less than anyone else due to my sex nor the skin color and I strive to not allow anyone around me treat me different for such.
What advice would you give to other young professionals in athletic communications as they navigate their new careers in this profession?
DM: Advice that I would give: get as involved as you can whenever you can! The more experience you gain and the more knowledge you get in this field the more of an asset you become. One thing I’ve learned is that there are multiple ways to do basically the same thing for many aspects of this field, so even knowing a few of those ways makes you dangerous in this field! Keep getting involved and keep learning!
At a going away party for former SRU athletic communication GA Ryan Sargent with the athletic communication group and a few coaches.