Josie Kremzar joined the NAIA’s Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference in January 2020 and serves as the Assistant Commissioner for Operations. She manages the conference's various awards programs, serves as an event manager for conference championships and also supervises the conference's sports information directors and all associated media relations activities.
Kremzar comes to the KCAC after stints with Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land (was Marketing and Events Specialist), the University of Houston (was Director of Athletic Marketing), Baylor University (Assistant Director of Athletic Marketing and Promotions), and the former Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (marketing assistant).
At the University of Houston from 2016-2018, she managed the marketing and promotions for multiple sports, including Houston men's and women's basketball programs. Kremzar served as the marketing contact for the first ever college basketball game on the Fort Hood Army Base in 2014 as well as the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Championship in Waco in 2016.
She received a Bachelor of Science in sport management with a minor in communication from the University of Texas at Austin.
Josie Kremzar the KCAC Basketball Championship Tournament with husband Tyler who is the Director of Facilities and Events at Wichita State.
How did you get into the field of marketing and event planning?
JK: Similar to many college freshmen, I did not know what I wanted to study, and I even changed my major in college twice before finally landing on sport management. In addition to working events on a part-time basis at the University of Texas’ Frank Erwin Center, when the time came to apply for internships, I was given an opportunity in the Texas State University Athletics Department as a marketing intern - and never looked back.
This role with the KCAC is your first experience working within the athletic communications/sports information industry. What have you learned so far about this side of athletics? Has it met or exceeded your expectations?
JK: First and foremost, I have to give a huge shout out to Mark Hoffhines, the Sports Information Director for the KCAC. He has been great to work with since I joined the KCAC last year. Together, Mark, with his communications background, and myself with a marketing background, do a pretty good job of utilizing our strengths to collaborate on things to enhance our presence in the sports information space.
Getting to work with and learn from the other 13 KCAC member institution SIDs has also been so helpful. Those individuals are workhorses and I truly appreciate the work they do for our conference. Overall, I believe the things we have all been able to accomplish, especially in such a trying year, have far exceeded any expectations I had.
It's pretty clear from your social media accounts that you’re a Texan. What do you love the most about being a Texas native?
JK: I was born and raised in Texas and my family is still there, so Texas will always be considered home. I love that each pocket of Texas is so different from the next, so much that you can be a tourist in your own state (raise your hand if you measure distance in hours like Texans do!) In each of those pockets, one thing always remains — you are sure to find good tacos, good queso and a Whataburger. I also have a new appreciation for the mild Texas winters since moving to Kansas. And I stan (am a highly devoted fan of) Matthew McConaughey.
A house divided! Josie Kremzar with her husband Tyler.
What are your most memorable career moments so far?
JK: To start, I met my husband while working at Houston, so I suppose that’s pretty memorable! I also have been fortunate enough to be a part of a few “firsts” and “finals” over the course of my career, notably the first game and opening of Baylor’s McLane Stadium as well as the final game in Hofheinz Pavilion at the University of Houston.
More recently with the KCAC, we served as the host organization for the NAIA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament opening rounds. We welcomed 24 teams from across the country to two local sites. The amount of work done and preparations made by our office of three was incredible, albeit exhausting. It did culminate in two very memorable days of NAIA championship basketball.
These experiences were unique in their own ways, but definitely top the list of most memorable moments I’ve had to date.
As someone with extensive marketing experience, what are some of your ideas of best practices in promotions and event planning?
JK: On the marketing side, one of my main goals at the KCAC has been to create more brand consistency throughout all aspects of the conference office. That includes social media, our online presences, the design conference awards, signage, t-shirts, and even Zoom backgrounds for the virtual sport media days we have incorporated this year.
On the event planning side, this may not be a best practice, but staying organized is key. In our office, we use a workflow Google Doc to track what needs to be completed for each championship we host, keeping accountability for our own tasks. Additionally, every event is going to have some curveballs thrown your way, and by remaining flexible, you can adapt and plan accordingly!
What was it like transitioning from athletics marketing to working for Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land (Texas)?
JK: Transitioning to different roles can be challenging, but I was very fortunate to have a great boss lead me through that transition and several great coworkers show me the lay of the land. Much of my previous experience in athletics proved to be transferable in that role, but I also learned so much from my time with MBSL. The role itself was very event-oriented, which technically I was very accustomed to.
But in sports, your fans support you and buy tickets for your events based on their emotional connection with the team/brand. So in my transition to MBSL, I had to figure out ways to get “fans” of Mercedes-Benz to buy their vehicle at our dealership as opposed to another Houston-area dealership. With that said, we hosted several different dealership events and incorporated unique initiatives to convey to customers that, while our vehicles are exceptional, you are getting so much more than a car by aligning yourself with the Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land brand. Fun fact No. 1: Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land has the most Instagram followers of any US Mercedes-Benz dealership!
All-in-all, my experience with MBSL was very positive and I am forever grateful for all of the lessons learned.
Josie Kremzar with the USASOC Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team at Houston in 2016.
What are some of the biggest obstacles or challenges you have had to overcome in your career? How did you get through them and what did you learn along the way?
JK: In my previous university athletic department positions, my job was marketing and promotions for various assigned sports. Transitioning to a conference-level position has been a huge challenge for me, because not only is our staff extremely limited, but my focus now not only includes conference marketing but also conference championship events, ticketing, various sports information and social media initiatives, and general conference operational duties … in addition to working with 13 institutions instead of just one.
Up for the challenge since day one, I make sure to remain organized and keep my to-do lists handy! Though I am guilty of not following my own advice at times, I’ve learned that it helps to work far in advance when there is downtime so not to be completely overwhelmed during busy weeks/months.
Your favorite binge-worthy TV show and why?
JK: My favorite binge-worthy TV show is Parks and Recreation because, what’s not to like about it?! Fun fact No. 2: I once dressed as Leslie Knope for a Halloween costume contest and won the prize for “Best Look-A-Like.” Honorable mention shows include The Office, Ozark, and any of the Marvel movies or TV shows.
Once you're finished with work for the day, what do you enjoy doing?
JK: We have two chihuahuas that demand my full attention when I get home for the day, so I enjoy showering them with all the love and pets every day! With both my husband Tyler and I working in athletics (Tyler is Wichita State Athletics’ Director of Facilities and Events), sometimes our schedules don’t align very well. When they do, we really enjoy relaxing in our basement-turned-TV room and watching one of our teams play or binging a new show. And when time permits, we enjoy the occasional weekend getaway to decompress.
Based on your Twitter feed, you have a handful of professional and collegiate teams that you love and follow. Which team is your favorite? What is your favorite memory as a fan of that team?
JK: My favorite program of all time, professional or collegiate, is the Texas Longhorns. I was born into a family that bleeds the burnt orange, which ultimately led me to receive my undergraduate degree from the University of Texas. As for my favorite fan memory, it’s hard to say anything but the 2005 Texas versus USC National Championship football game. That game is likely why my fandom is what it is today.
Since moving to Wichita, it has been amazing to follow and root for Wichita State, where my husband works, and really become part of Shocker Nation. I also follow my previous teams in Baylor and Houston (who, ironically enough, just competed against each other in the Men’s Final Four), and still have friends and coworkers with whom I remain in contact. And lastly, as far as professional teams go, I’m a huge Luka Doncic/Dallas Mavericks fan. #MFFL
Josie Kremzar pictured at a 2015 ESPN College Gameday (now built by the Home Depot) at Baylor University.