College Sports Information Directors of America

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Gregory Goings – Bowie State University, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations

CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award

by Kyle Serba – North Carolina Central University Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications 

Of all the outstanding personal characteristics and fine technical skills Greg Goings is so well-respected for throughout the sports information industry, his distinguished, award-winning, 30-year career as a college athletics communications professional was ironically born as a result of his quality penmanship. 

In 1984, while Goings was working as an on-air personality for a radio station in Petersburg, Virginia, LeCounte Conaway, the sports information director at Goings’ alma mater Virginia State University, convinced Goings to keep the scorebook for VSU basketball games. Conaway, who had an eye for young talent and a knack for recruiting, lured Goings deeper into the profession. “He said I had great handwriting,” Goings remembered. “Then he said, ‘Now, I have something else for you to do.’” 

Conaway handed Goings a pen, paper and a calculator, and put him in charge of compiling basketball season statistics by hand after each game. “On the bus ride home, everyone’s light was out except mine. Mine was still burning,” he recalled. “So, I have to blame the late LeCounte Conaway for getting me into this.” 

Jokingly, Goings used the word ‘blame’ for how he started in sports information. Those fortunate enough to cross paths with Goings, however, would instead recommend the word ‘credit.'
 

The 1981 Virginia State University graduate officially joined the SID ranks in 1988 at his alma mater, where he continued to be mentored and nurtured by Conaway and other sports information legends which included Wallace Dooley, Sam Jefferson, Bill Hamilton, Ed Hill, Chris Fisher and John Holley.  

It was Holley who imparted valuable words of wisdom to newcomer Goings that he will never forget – “The work will be there tomorrow.” 

As Goings transitioned from mentee to mentor, he shared that critical message with his peers and the next generation of SIDs. 

One of the young professionals that heard those words from Goings is CoSIDA Past President Rob Knox, who recounted a time when Goings patiently helped him balance a box score and said Goings is the reason he remained in the sports information profession.

“Greg has always been there to listen, provide a laugh, and mentor,” said Knox, who is currently the Associate AD for Strategic Communications at UNC Greensboro. 

Romanda Noble-Watson, Sports Information Director at Claflin University, noted that a lot of her career is owed to Goings. “When I was just a student, Greg taught me how to do basketball stats over the phone and hasn’t stopped helping me since. I’ve called on him for a variety of things, and not once has he hesitated to help me.” 

Andy Seeley, CoSIDA Past President and current Senior Associate AD for External Relations at Florida Atlantic University, recalled how he first met Goings at the 1995 Olympic Festival in Colorado, and then crossed paths with him again while attending his first CoSIDA convention. “He made sure I was making the most of my convention experience. The way he treated me and befriended me was never forgotten,” Seeley noted.

“When I was fortunate enough to be elected Vice President of CoSIDA, I remembered Greg and what my relationship with him meant to me. That’s when the CoSIDA Mentorship Program was born, and I have Greg to thank for that.” 

Mentorship is also one of the many standout qualities that Alfreeda Goff mentioned about Goings. She served as Director of Athletics during his tenure at Virginia State University, calling him a hard worker, loyal, trustworthy, and a great mentor with a willingness to lift up other people while sacrificing so much of himself.  

Goff strongly encourages him to continue to be a mentor in his retirement, saying, “There aren’t too many Greg Goings out there, and people can learn a lot from him.” 

Beyond his SID post, Goings shared his knowledge and experience in multiple leadership roles. He served as President of the Division II Sports Information Directors Association, D2SIDA (2011-14), was a three-year At-Large College Division Representative on the CoSIDA Board of Directors (2011-15), and held the role of President of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Sports Information Directors Association (1993-99).  

Goings has spent his entire celebrated sports information career with two institutions - Virginia State University (1988-2000) and Bowie State University (2003-21) - both NCAA Division II members in the CIAA. He was honored by his peers as the CIAA Sports Information Director of the Year three times. 

“When I think of Greg, I see a person with great dedication and commitment to our profession,” said Bill Hamilton, a CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee. “The fervor and passion he has exhibited in carrying out his duties are admirable and worthy to be praised.”  

Hamilton showered his own praise on Goings, exclaiming, “I see him as a future CoSIDA Hall of Famer.” 

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams proclaimed Goings as “the Godfather of sports information directors.” 

“Greg’s footprints will live for life in the CIAA and throughout college athletics,” McWilliams said. “For over 30 years, he has planted seeds and extended branches of his legacy throughout the conference and beyond. Through his hard work and sacrifice, he will leave a lasting impact at two amazing schools where the foundations have been strengthened and prepared for the next generation of leaders. Many of us grew up with Greg, and his time, love and laughter will remain forever.” 

Goings humbly shies away from such commendation, instead resorting to his SID nature of telling other people’s stories. However, as retirement nears, he has reflected on his own journey. 

“I’m grateful to have been in the profession for as long as I have and to be leaving on my own terms and in good health,” Goings said. “I gave 100 percent every day, even when there were days I did not want to. I’m not going to miss the daily grind, but I am going to miss the comradery with my colleagues.  

“I still plan to attend CoSIDA conventions. To me, that’s like one big family reunion.” 

Speaking of family, Goings is especially thankful for the support of his wife, Donna, who he affectionately refers to as “my Queen,” for standing by him, and his daughter, Shannen, who was always in his corner. 

During this significant life moment, he is reminded of the impact made by his late parents, Charlie and Irma Goings, who taught him, “Whatever you do, do it well.” 

“I never saw this as a career path, but I’m thrilled beyond words to have been blessed to be a part of this profession,” Goings noted. “It is my sincere hope that the student-athletes I ‘worked for’ were satisfied with the service I provided. I also hope that my work ethic will be emulated by others and was appreciated by all that were a part of this journey.”

As far as his immediate retirement plans, Goings emphatically said, “Once COVID lifts, we are going somewhere … return trips to Barcelona or France, or bucket list destinations, Dubai or Fiji!”

“And,” he pointed out with a smile, “I am quite sure the ‘honey-do’ list will be much longer.”