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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.
Linnea Kangas – Wartburg College, Interim Sports Information Director
by Chad Jackson – Georgia Southern University, Director of Athletic Communications
Linnea Kangas was named the interim sports information director at Wartburg College this past August, spearheading the communications efforts for the Knights' 23-sport athletic department, overseeing all aspects of public relations and strategically promoting programs and student-athletes.
Previously, Linnea served as sports information director at Presentation College for two years. She got her start in sports information at her alma mater, Northern Iowa, where she served as a student assistant and graduate assistant while working on both her bachelor's and master's degrees in communication arts.
We asked Linnea to answer a few questions about her start in the business, her involvement in the CoSIDA Leadership program and also to impart some advice to other young professionals just starting out in the field.
Linnea Kangas is on the move during a soccer match.
You are enrolled in the Leadership CoSIDA professional development track. What drew you to the program and what are you hoping to gain from it?
LK: What initially drew me to the Leadership CoSIDA track was the fact that I’m a young professional in the SID world. I was a student assistant/graduate assistant for five years before starting as a full time SID in October 2019. So I’m still looking to learn and grow in the profession, seeing the benefits result in my team and college.
What I’m hoping to gain, are new leadership skills and expanding my network of other SID’s. I’m planning to make a long career in athletic communications and am always open to seeing new ways of leadership to develop my own style.
Your Twitter bio includes the following quote: "Climb the mountain to see the world, not so the world can see you." Why does that one quote speak to you so much?
LK: This is a two-fold meaning quote. I’ve always been someone who just wants to see the world and experience the people, food, culture, music, sport, etc. Not always feeling the need to capture every moment and experience but to be present, without phone in hand, in the moment. The second part is a reminder to keep working through the difficult things, climbing the mountain, but doing it quietly so that you can “wow” anyone who makes you doubt yourself.
What is one key professional development skill and/or management/productivity tip for SIDs that you'd like to share? (such as prioritizing tasks, managing student/intern staffs, handling overlapping seasons, etc.)
LK: A professional development skill I’d recommend is to keep learning and reading, especially with non-sport related things. I’ve read psychology books, history, daily news (economy, world politics, etc.) and it’s helped me with the way I write. Most people that read what I have written, are sports fans and understand the terminology. But that may not always be the case.
A management/productivity tip is to keep a planner and use your resources. Planner, so you can keep track of games on a physical surface and track other tasks (media days, tournaments, meetings) and just write down what needs to get done each day. Using your resources is so important. For instance, when I’ve run into staffing problems and getting people in place for events, I’m aware of the situation early on. I’ve mentioned it to one or two people and they help find students who can fill those roles and help for that one game.
What advice do you have for young professionals looking to start their careers in athletic communications?
LK: As a young professional, my advice is to surround yourself with good people (inside and outside of athletics), don’t be afraid to make a mistake (but learn from it), and remember to take a breath and know you’ve got one of the best jobs in the world.