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CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID
This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2021. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.
Eddie Morelos – Sun Bowl Association/Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Media Relations Director
by Brandon Jones – CoSIDA Intern
Eddie Morelos has served as the chief communications contact for the Sun Bowl Association and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl for the last six-plus years. Prior to his position as Sun Bowl Director of Media Relations, he was the assistant director of media relations at his alma mater, New Mexico State University. He graduated from New Mexico State in 2006 with a journalism and mass communications degree (emphasis in public relations).
One of the favorite things that Eddie Morelos does is host his sports podcast called the Sports-N-More Podcast.
You spent eight years at your alma mater New Mexico State in that media relations department before moving into bowl association communications. What has been different about working in media relations for a bowl game rather than a school or conference office?
EM: Yes, I spent eight years at NM State (10 if you include the time I worked as a student work- study and the year as a paid intern) and learned a ton of what I know today there with the Aggies. Working for a bowl game has allowed me to still have time to work sporting events, in particular for UTEP, NMSU and the El Paso Chihuahuas (Triple-A baseball) team.
I am not in weekly or daily meetings with coaches and have not had to attend many practices. On a positive note, working with the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl has allowed me to learn how to promote and plan for other community events, such as our Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is televised and has approximately 200,000 people lining the streets to enjoy it.
Eddie Morelos with the press box crew after a triple-A baseball game (El Paso Chihuahuas).
What are your favorite aspects of your job with the Sun Bowl?
EM: One of my favorite aspects of my job at the Sun Bowl is that I have been able to bring on interns each semester. It is one thing I am super proud of as I have seen many former interns move on to some great positions. Recently, one of my former interns, Ty Stevers, was hired at the University of Arizona as the women’s basketball SID.
We understand one of your favorite pastimes is podcasting, as you host the Sports-N-More podcast. In sports podcasting, how important do you think it is to find a niche, such as your niche of covering and talking about small-market El Paso sports?
EM: Podcasting, and in-particular sports podcasting, has been one of the best and most enjoyable hobbies I have taken on. We have evolved and learned about podcasting as we continue to record more episodes. It is very important to narrow the podcast down to a niche so that it can be a bit easier to focus on what that particular audience wants. For us, spotlighting people from the Borderland region is very important, as my partner and I know that the Borderland Region is extremely underrated when it comes to the kind of athletes that are around here.
Media Relations Director Eddie Morelos addresses all media before the pregame head coaches press conference of the 2019 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.
What's a book or podcast that you would recommend to those working in collegiate athletics today?
EM: One podcast that I used to enjoy very much was the SIDcast hosted by David Gibson, current Madonna College Assistant AD of Communications, Marketing, and Promotions. I would also suggest that athletic communicators listen to podcasts that can help teach ways on how to handle priorities and time management.
What advice do you offer to a young professional in collegiate athletic communications?
EM: I would suggest young professionals in the collegiate athletic communications industry attempt to take on a job with a school that has a small staff. This would help them learn about priorities, communications with many people, and time management. I would also say that they need to put an emphasis on networking; that is a must. We, in the industry, will have to work together at one point or another and we should get to know as many people as possible to make the job a bit less stressful.
I saw in your Linkedin profile that you enjoy photography. How much of your free time do you spend on that and other hobbies?
EM: I enjoy photography but have not made enough time to be better at it. My main “hobby” is working out and exercising. I typically spend about 8-10 hours a week on that, as I feel it is extremely important for any of us involved in the college sports industry to be paying attention to ourselves. We must find ways to take care of our bodies and our mental health.
Eddie Morelos stands between 7’4” center Sim Bhullar and his brother, 7’1” Tanveer Bhullar, after shootaround in Honolulu, Hawaii in December of 2013. Morelos was the NM State men’s basketball SID during the 2013-14 season.