|
Sara Legarsky
Ohio University
Senior Director of Athletics Communications
|
Ryan Legarsky
Bridgewater College
Associate Director of Athletic Media Relations
|
| Who is Mom’s favorite? |
Ryan. I say this because she actually knows what his job is. She tells people I “just” do social media. I don’t even handle social anymore! We have a whole new department for that. Ha! |
I would say Sara is the favorite, but I have no reasoning behind it. Just a hunch. |
| Who got in trouble the most growing up? |
Ryan. He just wasn’t as sneaky as I was. |
I was always the one getting in trouble from what I can remember. |
| Who got who into athletics communications and how? |
I got him into it. I started working in the field my sophomore year of undergrad, while he was still in high school. He originally went to school for broadcasting. Next thing I know, he’s in media relations. |
I believe Sara got into the field first since she was in college first and was there for journalism. I got involved after my 10th grade English teacher told me my voice was tremendous and I started looking into sports broadcasting. I went to college for a sports broadcasting/sports information degree and after three semesters of broadcasting, I started getting involved in the sports information office and fell in love with the environment, the work and the idea of watching sports for a living without potentially talking to thousands of people through a screen. But, I’ve loved all sports my entire life and always knew I wanted to somehow work in athletics, but I never quite knew how until I got to Waynesburg.
Although, I specifically remember crying as a kid because I wanted to watch Cal Ripken’s last All-Star game and Sara came into the living room and changed the channel. So, the extended answer might be that I was the one who was interested first. Lol |
| Who writes better game recaps? |
Me. Honestly because I’ve never read one of his. So I’m going to just say me. |
Clearly it’s me. Without a doubt. |
| Who is the better social media content creator? |
Ryan. My Photoshop skills are highly questionable. |
I would say both of us have a pretty good grasp on content creation and what are the best ideas. I’m pretty much a jack of all trades, though, so I’ll say myself. |
| How many sports can you stat? |
Football, basketball, volleyball, field hockey, soccer, baseball/softball. I think that’s all. Honestly, football and volleyball are new adds thanks to Genius. |
I have extensive experience in almost all of the major ones in Statcrew, Presto Stats and NCAA Live Stats for the sports that are supported by it. Baseball/softball, basketball, field hockey, soccer, volleyball (my favorite to do), football and lacrosse. And tennis and golf, for what it's worth. I think ice hockey is the only software I haven’t used yet.
Inputting stats is my favorite part of the field and my ability to be knowledgeable in every sport and have the capabilities to step in on a moment's notice anywhere in the area is something I kind of take pride in. Whether it be a phone call from a colleague in-game asking questions or training a student or intern who does awesome or just statting a game myself without any flags, they are all great feelings and is always the best part of game days for me. |
| Have you been to NCAA tournament games with your teams during your SID career? |
Yes. We’ll start with the most recent:
2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – Made it to the Second Round.
2021 NCAA T&F Outdoor Regional
2018 NCAA Softball Regional – Made it to the Knoxville Regional Championship game
2015 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
2012 NCAA Men’s Cross Country National Champions (Oklahoma State) - GA
2012 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament – Sweet 16 (St. Bonaventure) – Student Intern. |
I have done stats at NCAA tournaments and at a lot of conference tournament games, but rarely my own schools. The only true national championship run I got the chance to cover was the men’s golf team at Methodist University winning its 12th championship in 2018, but that was just from my office. Other than that, the women’s soccer team that same year advanced to the tournament, but traveled to Texas for the first round and I was unable to travel with them. |
| Do you ever ask your sibling for advice professionally? |
No. I don’t think I have. |
I think both of us reach out from time to time to ask about certain situations. None that come to mind right now but we’ve certainly chatted about websites, equipment and statting software over Thanksgiving dinners from time to time. |
| What are your sibling’s best attributes as an athletics communication professional? |
He’s good at stats and record books. |
I think passion is a true attribute. You have to be passionate about what you do in this field to remain successful, and I think Sara is extremely passionate about her career and about Ohio University athletics as a whole. |
| What are your sibling’s best attributes as a sibling? |
He had dogs that he and his wife bring home for Christmas. He also sometimes responds to my texts non-sarcastically. |
She’s caring. I remember losing my first tooth because she hit me in the face with a door. That’s a lot of love. Or one time I asked her why she was so mean to me and she said “ I’m your sister, that’s my job”. It takes a lot to take your position as a sibling so personally. |
| What is the most important thing you’ve learned from your sibling professionally? |
Nothing. I’ve taught him everything he knows. |
Work hard and keep moving forward. Great things come to those who do their best. |
| What is the most important thing you’ve learned from your sibling personally? |
I’m not really sure. But he did find a wonderful wife and gave me a sister. So he must be doing something right. |
I have no idea how to answer this one. |
| What would be a good New Year’s resolution for your sibling? |
To stay at one job for a full year. |
Maybe get better at sending me some swag. I don’t own anything green anymore. |