This story is part of our February 2022 CoSIDA 360 package, to view more stories,
"The SID Life" is a series surveying CoSIDA members for their thoughts on topics and issues in the athletic communications industry, plus personal insights into not-so-serious issues, too.
Carter Brown has been a Virginia Tech Associate Director of Strategic Communications since 2017 after serving as an undergraduate student assistant.
Eric Flores is the Adams State Director of Sports Information. Flores has been at the D2 Colorado school for two years and was formerly at Pittsburg State and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
Matthew Hicks is the Southern States Athletic Conference Associate Commissioner. Hicks is the recipient of the prestigious NAIA 2021 Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award, given for outstanding contributions to the profession. He is in his sixth year at the SSAC after a decade as the University of Mobile’s Director of Athletic Communications.
Lindsay Madryga is in her fourth year as SID at St. Catherine, with previous stops at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and Concordia University, St. Paul.
Best part of my job is ...
Brown: Seeing student-athletes that I have gotten to know for four or five years receive their degrees, mature over the years and transition into the next stage of their lives. Graduation week is special for me because I work at my alma mater so they get to join me in the fraternity of Hokie alums.
Flores: Interacting with student-athletes and celebrating their successes, seeing their excitement when they win an award, and of course, starting softball games.
Hicks: The best part is the people, especially getting to know the student-athletes and witness those moments with student workers and colleagues before and in between games in the press box. In my previous job, broadcasting volleyball matches provided many great memories.
Madryga: Working at a small D3 school, I have the ability to be part of every team. I wouldn't enjoy not knowing the athletes and having the chance to make a difference in their lives.
Best professional advice you’ve ever received ...
Brown: I don’t know that one thing in particular stands out to me, but my parents have definitely given me a lot of advice and lessons throughout the years.
Flores: Enjoy what you get to call work, but don’t kill yourself over it, your family is more important.
Hicks: Always make sure to advocate for yourself. Sometimes it is hard, but don’t be afraid to let your boss know when you need something, or don’t be afraid to tell a coach “no” (it feels amazing). Also, if you win an award, promote it.
Madryga: "Let it go." I am a constant worrier and my current boss reminds me that something you just have to let things go.
What’s one or two songs you have completely memorized (name artist, too)?
Brown: My favorite song is Wake Me Up by Avicii and I definitely sing it in the car. It always puts a smile on my face! Waving Flag by K’NAAN is another great tune.
Flores: When it Rains by Eli Young Band, These Days by Rascal Flatts
Hicks: Honestly, I’ve never listened to music enough to memorize any songs. I will say, however, that “Disco Duck” by Rick Dees should be played at all games.
Madryga: Truth Hurts by Lizzo
How many different states have you lived in? (List them, please)
Brown: Two: Connecticut where I was born and Virginia where I grew up, went to college and still reside.
Flores: Two - Colorado and Kansas
Hicks: Two - Mississippi and Alabama
Madryga: Four - Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
Brown: I’d call it resilience or just having a good attitude. I don’t let things affect me too much. I won’t get too high or too low emotionally and that helps me focus on the what’s most important. Sure, our team may lose a game, and we all have bad days at the office, but I’m always ready to attack the next one.
Flores- My love to tell a story, and I love to be the first to tell someone and announce how a team did. That’s basically the job description of an SID.
Hicks: I’m very conscientious about my work and that means I’m going to look at things from every angle and spend the time needed to do quality work.
Madryga: My energy. I am constantly on the go and I don't believe I would be as successful if I didn't have that mindset.
What is your favorite way to start the day?
Brown: When I am diligent about it, waking up and working out is the best way to begin a day. You get in a sweat and already feel productive before you head in to work.
Flores: With my two daughters, Lyla (2 1/2) and Ella (1 1/2) crawling into my bed to snuggle and ask to watch ‘Icky’ (Mickey Mouse cartoons).
Hicks: I’m definitely not a morning person so “favorite” might be a stretch, but getting coffee as soon as I can is always a priority. My day is always better when breakfast is something good - like breakfast casserole or sausage balls - but I’m usually too lazy to make that happen.
Madryga: Venti Cold Brew from Starbucks. It doesn't matter if it's -17 degrees or 95 degrees - there is no other way.
If you could get rid of one technological item, what would it be?
Brown: Easily, my cell phone. I spend way too much time with my iPhone in my hand.
Flores: Video streams. When they work they are fabulous, yet when one technical glitch emerges, it frustrates me to no end.
Hicks: I often wish I could get rid of my cellphone. It would make it harder for people to reach me with complaints and also make it harder to get distracted by social media.
Madryga: Can I say StatCrew?
What is an item worth splurging on?
Brown: Golf clubs :).
Flores: Colorado Rockies tickets! There’s no better place in the world to be then at Coors Field to watch my favorite team with my wife.
Hicks: Professionally, spend to get quality photographs, whether that’s buying a new camera and lens or outsourcing. Personally, add an air fryer to your kitchen and try Conecuh sausage if you haven’t yet done so.
Madryga: I am a sucker for Apple products. My MacBook Pro was the best investment I've made since working at St. Catherine.
Looking at some “national days” in the month of February; February 9th is National Pizza Day – tell us what your favorite pizza is!
Brown: You can’t go wrong with pepperoni! I also like buffalo chicken or, for some real spice, throw on some jalapenos.
Flores: My late mom got me hooked on thin crust pizza topped with pepperoni, green peppers and onion.
Hicks: It’s hard to find a pizza I wouldn’t eat. My favorite place is Pizza Shack in Jackson, Miss. An underrated topping is banana peppers and my favorite type is meat lovers.
Madryga: Sausage mushroom from Carbone's in St. Paul (Minnesota).
February 14 is both Valentine’s Day AND National Clean Out Your Computer Day – what three items do you need to delete off your computer with some basic housekeeping, organizing and clean up?
Brown: I try to keep my desktop clean but there are definitely some old files that could be moved to the trash or an external hard drive. Right now, I’d say a folder for the 2021 football season, some random screenshots and some PSD files that I don’t need.
Flores: Old pictures from my pervious jobs. Old games I don’t have time to play anymore and old PDFs of sports results.
Hicks: I currently have 3,329 unread emails, so I should probably read/delete some of those (: … I keep way too many old files and photos on the computer, but am still afraid to delete them. I should also delete some of the graphics templates from early in my career so I’m never tempted to use them again.
Madryga: Can I say StatCrew again? The other two items would be a file of uploaded student-athlete bios from my first year at St. Catherine, before I made an online form, and a folder of random photos I inherited when I arrived here.
February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day – do you currently have a pet/pets or did you have a former favorite pet, or not?
Carter: A fun (or sad) fact about me is I have never had a pet. I keep telling my roommates that I’m going to get an exotic pet like an otter or something. I don’t think they’ll let me.
Flores: I don’t have a pet currently, but when I was younger I had a miniature terroir that was my favorite, named Baby!
Hicks: I don't currently have a pet, but Harry Carey (Maltese) and George (unknown mix) were great dogs that we had. Righ now, I think it would be cool to have a pet toroise.
Madryga: My husand and I have a 14-year old Morkie named Hobey, who we just adore.