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Creative Young Professional Spotlight – Former Football All-American KJ Reid is the Director for Creative Media at Oklahoma Baptist
by Michael Hawkins – Francis Marion University, Associate AD for Communication Services
"I don’t feel like too many young professionals, or student-athletes, know about this type of work. And if they do, they look over it because they don’t understand the skill sets and what you do daily. To get our roles out of the shadows, we should highlight those who make this profession fun." - KJ Reid
In three short years, Kenneth "KJ" Reid has gone from All-America recognition as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II football linebackers to an Assistant Athletics Director role.
Reid was named assistant athletics director for creative media at Oklahoma Baptist University in August 2021. Prior to this, Reid spent three years at Southern Nazarene University, most recently as director of athletics communications.
KJ Reid received his master's degree from Southern Nazarene University.
In his new role at NCAA Division II Oklahoma Baptist, he is responsible for the department's communications efforts, including content creation for OBUBison.com and official social media channels, as well as media and public relations, event operations, and broadcasting.
Reid is a 2019 graduate of Arkansas Tech University and played four years as a linebacker for the Wonder Boys. He was a two-time Great American Conference First Team selection. As a senior was named to the D2CCA All-Super Region 3 First Team and earned All-America recognition. He later completed his master’s degree in sports management and administration at SNU in 2021.
Why and how did you enter the athletic communications field?
KR: I sort of fell into it and it’s been a quick ascent into a leadership role. After college, I had no idea what I wanted to do besides sticking around college sports, so when an opportunity arose, I took it. From there, I garnered a passion for athletic communications and creative media work.
As a former student-athlete, how has the transition been from playing to covering sports? What people or tricks help make the transition easier?
KR: It has been different in some ways. Transitioning from doing the work on the field to doing to work in the office has been interesting. I now have first-hand experience on what goes on behind the scenes of the athletic department. What has helped me is the mentality I had when I was an athlete – attention to detail. For this job specifically, my attention to detail is imperative so I can put out accurate information to the masses and balance numerous supervisory duties and my own work.
In addition to athletic communications, what other creative media elements are you responsible for?
KR: I am responsible for overseeing the creative image and messaging of OBU Athletics. Our theme (look) has to be consistent across all social platforms. Alongside others, I create graphics, videography, and photography for every sport we have.
Are there any special projects you have undertaken at OBU (or at Southern Nazarene), and how do you feel they have improved the relationship between the athletic department and the local community?
KR: The roles I have taken to create our Southern Nazarene and OBU social artboards for social media and game posters have gone beyond the four walls of either university. It has spread community awareness and we had many more people notice. It’s given new fans, potential student-athletes and parents an opportunity to connect directly with the University’s athletic program.
Reid played four years as a linebacker at Arkansas Tech. He was a two-time GAC First Team selection and an All-American as a senior. He racked up 287 total tackles, nine sacks, caught one interception that he returned for touchdown, and recorded six fumble recoveries in his career at Arkansas Tech.
How did the pandemic and social unrest of 2020 and 2021 affect you and how you view your position? And what tactics did you employ to survive that time?
KR: We really had to come up with creative solutions to keep our audience engaged. With the absence of sports, there was no “news” to post so we had to re-think everything we were doing. I referred to what are the basic skills of social media? — and thought of my target audience. Generating something as simple as getting viewers to click and interact with your post can help you get whatever news you want out.
After the events of the past several years, did you make any life-altering decisions? How can members of CoSIDA work to make our profession a more welcoming and diverse environment? And to increase our minority make-up?
KR: No, I’ve not necessarily made any life altering changes. But, my acceptance of the new positions I have held – at Southern Nazarene and now at Oklahoma Baptist – have had the largest impact on me and others. I don’t feel like too many young professionals, or student-athletes, know about this type of work. And if they do, they look over it because they don’t understand the skill sets and what you do daily. To get our roles out of the shadows, we should highlight those who make this profession fun.
Do you have a favorite quote that motivates you, or that you try to live by?
KR: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today” – Malcolm X
What is one tip you feel is vital for professional development?
KR: Communication. One’s ability to communicate and delegate things to others promotes the best development in my opinion.
Even at your young age, if you could provide a key piece of advice to young SIDs entering the field, what would it be?
KR: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. On so many occasions, I’ve bugged neighboring SIDs about things so that I could learn. Not hesitating to reach out has certainly helped my career.
KR Reid with Oklahoma Baptist play-by-play announcer Todd Miller.
What elements do you incorporate into your life to create a healthy work/life balance?
KR: This is a work in progress, but I want it to be that when I leave work, my work stays at work. I want to enjoy my profession without getting burned out because I’m doing it 24/7.
How has your administration helped in your development as a young leader? What support (guidance) and direction have they provided in the arena of athletic communications? How can CoSIDA help in your development and with cultivating relationships with colleagues?
KR: At both of my stops, I’ve received the best guidance and direction towards my development. Whether that is supervisors and colleagues constructively correcting me or simply trusting me to do my job, it all helps.
StatCrew or Genius NCAA Live Stats?
KR: LiveStats. I’m all about working smarter, not harder.
AP-Style story or bullet points?
KR: AP-Style Story, but to the point.
On National Jersey Day, whose jersey do you wear and why?
KR: Boston Celtics, because they are simply the best team ever. No question about it.
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