Related Content
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.
Ken Sweeten – Southern Connecticut State University, Associate Director of Athletics/Athletic Communications
by John Tagliaferri – Caldwell University, Director of Athletic Media Relations
With over 20 years of athletic communications experience,
Ken Sweeten currently serves as Associate Director of Athletics/Communications at Southern Connecticut State University, a NCAA Division II institution. He arrived at the New Haven, Connecticut campus in 2018 after serving at Quinnipiac University (2006-18, Associate AD/Communications) and Pace University (2003-06, Director of Athletic Media Relations).
As he oversees all of SCSU’s athletic communications strategies and platforms and staffing and coverage of 19 varsity sports, Sweeten is the media relations contact for football, men's and women's swimming & diving, gymnastics and baseball. He previously served at Quinnipiac University
Active in CoSIDA, Sweeten currently serving on the Mentorship Committee, and was a former member of the CoSIDA U Committee. A few years ago, he authored a piece for the CoSIDA 360 digital magazine on the evolution of the profession, and last year was a featured guest in the
SIDcast podcast, hosted by Madonna’s David Gibson.
Outside of his athletic communications duties, Sweeten is a member of the Town of Hamden Parks and Recreation Committee and is currently pursuing a master's degree in sport management with a concentration in athletic administration from SCSU.
Ken Sweeten with his daughter, Kenzie.
Can you name your biggest career successes to date?
KS: I’ve been fortunate to work at great universities that all afforded me the opportunity to have an impact on the student-athlete experience. At Pace, I worked with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was able to help them realize their potential. At Quinnipiac, I covered two NCAA Frozen Fours and National Championship Games in ice hockey in 2013 and 2016. I was the media coordinator for three National Championships hosted by the university and also able to get a lot of national coverage for the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams.
The coolest “success” would be pitching the New York Yankees on having Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey head coach Rand Pecknold throw out the first pitch at a game. My dream at 10 years old was to walk onto the field at Yankees Stadium, and that first-pitch moment gave me the opportunity to do that.
At Southern, however, is probably my most impactful success: I helped launch a student-athlete group to fight injustice and address racial issues. That’s been an amazing experience and has helped me grow tremendously as a person.
What advice do you have for young professionals looking to start their careers in sports information?
KS: If your decision is in the best interest of the student-athlete, you’ll never be wrong.
Put the extra work in, volunteer whenever and wherever you can, and make a lot of connections.
Be prepared to miss a lot of stuff in your personal life. You’re not going to make every social event. However, make sure you save some time for yourself, and make time for your family and friends.
Be approachable. Talk to coaches- they’re human. Build relationships and trust with them. Talk to student-athletes. Get to know them. Help them be comfortable around you, and it will help you when working with them in the future.
Enjoy it! We watch sports for a living! If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life!
What is your favorite part about being an athletic communication professional?
KS: Being on the ground to be part of the emotion of sports. There is nothing better than being able to tell the story of a group of individuals doing great things.
Also, I take great pride in working with younger SIDs and helping them realize their potential. I get excited when a graduate assistant or intern, or a student worker, tells me that they have an opportunity to get a job in this field.
Outside of work, what would we find you doing?
KS: Spending time with my family — my wife Jennifer, daughter Kenzie and our dog, Gordie. Kenzie is a very bold, adorable little girl and Jennifer an incredible wife who supports my passion. Also, probably walking my COVID rescue “puppy”, who in a year has shot up to 95 lbs!I love movies too - and I watch everything.