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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.
Gladstone Harris – Bloomfield College, Sports Information Director
by John Tagliaferri – Caldwell University, Director of Athletic Media Relations
Gladstone Harris has spent 12 years in athletic communications at NCAA Division II Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, NJ. He has held the Sports Information position the last seven years after serving as assistant SID for five years.
There might not be another member of CoSIDA as devoted to the DJ and party/entertainment business as Harris, or as famous as he is in this realm. He has worked for the likes of … Beyonce and Jay-Z! He began his DJ and event stagings as an undergraduate at William Paterson. Known as “DJGStone,” Harris also serves as Director of Operations for
KingStone Entertainment, where he oversees the marketing, promotional products and video and graphic design areas for the entertainment company.
Below, Harris gives more background on his music and DJ experiences and shares some thoughts and ideas for the young professionals in our industry.
Gladstone Harris began his DJ and entertainment career while an undergraduate at William Paterson. Now, he’s grown his business, KingStone Entertainment, into a multi-faceted party and entertainment company and has DJ’ed at parties for the likes of Beyonce and at clubs owned by Jay-Z.
What’s one piece of professional development advice or tip that you can share with fellow athletic communicators?
GH: One key professional development skillset for SIDs would be to have a great understanding of prioritizing tasks. In our job role, so much is expected in a short turnaround time that making sure you prioritize things is essential. I find that when I am able to prioritize things, it leads to better time management on my part and in the end, I am able to produce better results for the given tasks.
At this point in your career, what are your biggest professional successes?
GH: My biggest career successes to date in the SID world would be helping to plan and implement a mascot change and re-branding campaign for the Bloomfield athletic department and college overall. I also got to design the gym floor and paint a huge bear head at center court, which took a couple years of convincing my Athletic Director before it was signed off on.
Outside of the SID world, my biggest career successes would certainly be DJing for Beyonce's 25th birthday party in New York City, and being a resident DJ for Jay-Z at his 40/40 Clubs in Manhattan, Atlantic City & Las Vegas ... the fun times!
Gladstone Harris has spent 12 years in athletic communications at NCAA Division II Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
As we look towards the future of athletic communications and developing talent, what is some advice for young professionals and those looking to enter the SID field?
GH: My advice for young professionals looking to start their careers in sports information would be to Be Yourself. The work is the work, but finding ways to infuse your personality into the work will make it uniquely yours. It will show your student-athletes that you care and it will also show your administrators that you are vested in being an integral part of the organization. I would also advise everyone to take the time to learn your craft. It is a great feeling to pour your creativity into your worklife and find ways to tweak your workflows.
You’ve got to have one of the top outside interests of all SIDs – DJ’ing for nationally known artists and helping run a DJ/music entertainment company! What else would we find you doing outside of your work for Bloomfield? What other interests do you have?
GH: Outside of work, yes, you'd find me mixing some tunes on a DJ set, or shooting a music video for a local artist. I also enjoy cooking at home and plating deliciously looking meals for photographs — before devouring the masterpieces!
I'm a free spirit who loves and believes in people. Any way I can be of service to others, I am there. Working in sports information allows me to flex my creative muscles which keeps my mind feeling young.
Gladstone Harris’s creativity extends from being a long-time PA announcer, an established DJ, a video creator and ediitor for Bloomfield Athletics teams, and producing music videos for local artists.