"The Life" is a series surveying College Sports Communicators members for their thoughts on topics and issues in the athletic communications industry, plus personal insights into not-so-serious issues, too.
The associate AD for communications at Lycoming College, Joe Guistina is in his 13th year of service at the NCAA Division III school located in Williamsport, PA. Guistina was named Associate AD in 2014 and has earned numerous writing and publications awards from College Sports Communicators over the years. He currently serves as vice-chair of the CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest Committee. Guistina came to Lycoming from USC Upstate; he also served an athletic communications internship at Michigan State. The 2004 graduate of Susquehanna was a three-year baseball letterwinner as a pitcher and also worked in the school's SID office for four years.
Jesse Muñoz is the director of public relations and sports information at two-year institution College of the Canyons, located in Santa Clarita, Calif. He is in his ninth year as SID and 15th overall in the public information office. He is the lone athletic communications full-time staffer for COC’s 17 sports. Muñoz oversees communications, marketing, media relations and live stream productions for the athletic program, and also provides color commentary for the Cougars’ football broadcasts. He is a 2006 graduate of California State University, Long Beach.
One year ago this month, Sarah Otteman was promoted to assistant AD for marketing and digital content at NCAA Division I Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. In this role, she oversees marketing, social media and digital content, branding and graphic design, game day experience, ticket sales and merchandising. Otteman has sport oversight of women's beach volleyball and women's golf and is the primary contact for women's indoor and beach volleyball. Previously, she served at Dodge City Community College (Kan.) and was a graduate assistant at Regis University in Denver. As an undergraduate at the University of the Ozarks, she starred on the softball diamond as an All-American Southwest Conference pitcher and worked in the SID office.
McKenzie Yi was named assistant director of athletic communications in the summer (June) of 2022 at her alma mater, the University of Mount Olive, a NCAA Division II school located in Mount Olive, NC. An athletic communications student assistant, she graduated in May 2022, majoring in recreation and leisure studies with a focus on sports communications and with a minor in English. Yi also was a defender on the field hockey team and was selected to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division II national academic squad and was a Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll honoree numerous times.
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
Guistina: This is pretty tough. I would own the Boston Red Sox if money was no object! I always kind of wanted to be the official scorer for a major league baseball team, or a team historian seems like a fun job. Although part of me would be fine living in the Pennsylvania Wilds and just doing a hike in the morning and then relaxing the rest of the day.
Muñoz: Whatever I wanted! My wife jokes that I would miss what I do. So, with that in mind, spend more time with my wife, kids and family; maybe write a book; lots more traveling and a little more golf. There would probably be both a beach front property and a rural retreat to call home; and between my kids’ sports teams and all the teams we are fans of, most likely attending lots of youth, college and professional sporting events! (I’d have to have my sports fix.) I’d also want to use my time and resources to help people and impact my community, which I’m fortunate to have grown up in, and now continue to live and work in.
Otteman: Read, garden, create, socialize. And if money was no option and I lived in a big open space, give as many animals a home that I could!
Yi: I would turn a school bus into a tiny home and travel the world. I am still hoping that I could do this one day to experience different cultures but that one day is not today...Someday!
Tell us your biggest strength outside of your workplace.
Guistina: My relationship with my wife, Sarah. She has, without a doubt, allowed me to have this crazy career with chaotic days and long hours at the office. She isn’t always the happiest as summer comes to a close, but she always looks at a schedule before I do and knows when I will be home and leaves a light on. Sometimes you don’t really know how important that can be and I appreciate it probably more than she knows. She is my biggest fan, as well, and always seems to know when something happens that I should be proud of and she makes sure I know it.
Muñoz: That’s a tough one to start! I would say my sense of humor and knack for getting along with people and forming strong relationships. Also, my loyalty to the people and things I hold dear and my ability serve as a leader for family.
Otteman: Honestly, I’m in this industry to promote others and shy away from promoting myself sometimes … so I asked some friends! One of my closest friends said insightfulness — the ability to listen to a situation, understand what’s going on from multiple perspectives and be attuned to the people around me. That, along with being innovative and creative and helping create and implementing ideas for people, situations and projects. My other friend, mentee and now coworker also said having the ability to make time for myself and promote work-life balance whenever possible — especially during those never-ending 60-80 hour weeks. Even if it’s just an hour before bed to wind down or chitchatting with friends around the dartboard, finding those minutes to have ‘work not allowed’ time is crucially important to my mental health.
Yi: Being people-oriented; I can talk to a diverse group of people from different ethnic groups and backgrounds. I love meeting new people and knowing about who they are and what their story is.
What food could you not live without?
Guistina: Luckily, it’s pizza, because in this business…you eat a lot of pizza.
Muñoz: Another tough one … Chicken Caesar Salad is my favorite … Tacos are a necessity … Pepsi on ice!
Otteman: Portillo’s hot dogs and Italian beef! It’s a Chicago thing where I grew up, but there are two in California. Literally will drive an hour to get my fix of hometown noms.
Yi: The Korean dish called bulgogi. It is marinated beef and is a perfect combination of sweet and salty (my grandpa made it the best).
Your best work-related/professional advice to a fellow College Sports Communicators colleague to navigate the high stress and demands of the dreaded crossover fall-to-winter season?
Guistina: Get some sleep - there’s nothing more important. If you get at least 6-7 hours of sleep each day, you’d be surprised how productive you can be in the other hours of the day! Don’t be afraid to stop if you’re overloaded and commiserate with a friend in the business. It’s really useful to talk about it with people who do know what we do - and get it. They might give you an idea that you hadn’t had before, or they might just let you realize that everyone is going through the same thing and you aren’t alone.
Muñoz: Recruit good help! Play to your strengths and delegate when possible. It often takes an army, or at the very least a very strong team, to handle the myriad of duties and responsibilities that are placed on our shoulders. As much as we try to handle everything ourselves, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
I’ve been fortunate to have recruited assistance in the form of part-time support staff, college assistants, interns, volunteers, personnel from other departments (and basically anyone who is willing); this has been essential. Delegating minor (or even important but time-consuming) tasks will allow you to focus on the big picture, better utilize your expertise and skill sets and stay ahead of the curve. You won’t be able do the things you’re truly great at if you’re personally handing all of the day-to-day minutia.
Otteman: People in this industry always seem to say that work-life balance doesn’t exist, and hey, maybe it doesn’t in the way we think it should. Sometimes the best we can do is find those small moments that give you a sense of having your own time when you’re at the office. Talk and get to know your co-workers and spend even just a few minutes off the computer to help create an environment that you want to be in. Keep up the positive mental attitude as best you can and whenever possible, be sure to compliment and praise your coworkers for the work they do. The positive culture and good vibes can always start with you!
Keep all this in mind so when the time comes and you’re in a position to advocate for work-life balance and the mental and emotional health and well-being of the people in your department, do it - knowing that you can make this industry the best it can be by speaking up in a positive way.
Yi: Have open communication, planning, and collaborating with your colleagues during the crossover season. Being open-minded and being able to adjust to changes are also important because sometimes, things don’t go our way so make sure you ask for help when you need it.
Your best advice to a fellow College Sports Communicators colleague on ways to help them personally (mentally, physically, emotionally) navigate through the demands of the crossover season?
Guistina: This will seem a little callous, but there’s a line in a Hold Steady song called “Denver Haircut” that goes: “It doesn't have to be perfect / Just sort of has to be worth it.” That has resonated with me more and more as I get older. Things are going to go sideways. The Hold Steady song wasn’t about this sentiment at all, but at the end of the day, the article, the video, the photograph, the graphic doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be done. And you’d be surprised how many times you may look back at it a year or two later and think, “How did I get to put that much time into that? Or how did we get that picture? I remember I was so busy that day or week.” And if what you thought you’d get done doesn’t happen, well, you’ll forget about that in a year or two and no one else will remember either.
Muñoz: Always remember that as crazy and as stressful as things get our jobs should still be FUN! For me, I try to stay excited and have fun as a way to combat the natural stress and mental/physical toll that our jobs can take on us. Even on my most stressful and busiest days, and when that random curveball appears out of nowhere, I make a point to stay excited about the day and the challenges that lay ahead. I arrive at the facility clapping hands, getting hyped and preparing to jump in and go to work! It’s our game day, too! Remember when you were an athlete? Game days were fun! It should still be that way!
Otteman: We take pride in always being ‘on’ for when the occasion calls for it. Yet, we don’t have down-time with multiple events each day of the weekend or 5-13 working days in a row during crossover seasons. We know this will the case, so flip the script. Mentally prepare for the tough times so you’re not surprised when they happen, Find the thing that makes it enjoyable and hold on to that so you’re not dreading your tiredness. I always tell myself it’s ‘worth the tired’ because of the impact you have on someone’s life and their human experience. I know it doesn’t feel like everything you do is seen all the time, but it matters down the road and those impacted always recognize the hard work and effort you put in.
Physically – pack your lunch and dinner and skip the fast food on your way home. Make sure to get up and do a lap around the facilities or around to different offices to get off your desk for a few moments!
Emotionally … Remember, when we choose this industry, we do so for higher purposes — to impact others. My emotional well-being comes from trying to enhance the mental and emotional well-being of the people I work with, the student-athletes that I see every day and my interns and student workers. That in itself helps me get through the day. Trying to keep the positive mental attitude and remember how much I love what I do each day is so important to my emotional state.
Yi: Taking a break, having fun, making sure you are nourishing your body and your mind are important. As a retired student-athlete, I believe that taking the time to converse with your peers and your student-athletes is beneficial to creating a family culture at your institution.
What are your hobbies?
Guistina: Newest hobby: At the height of the pandemic, just after the announcement that the Middle Atlantic Conference was putting our sports on hold until January 2021, I was getting a little bit wired and anxious, and knew I needed to do something at night to calm my nerves a bit. I started to write baseball players and some other athletes for autographs. It was something I had done as a kid and at the difficult time of the pandemic, it was something to do to feel a bit of a human connection. In the past two years, I’ve sent around 1,100 letters to all sorts of athletes and have gotten over 600 responses. I have spent more money on this project than I would care to admit, but it is always cool to get an envelope back and see a response. I have gotten some nice letters in return and some of the autographs are from tennis greats Jimmy Conners and John McEnroe, Rick Barry and Bob Cousy in basketball, and Wade Boggs, Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Andre Dawson in baseball.
Muñoz: Probably too many to get into here … fantasy football, traveling, golf, concerts, photography, Star Wars, sports memorabilia, Dodgers, Raiders, Lakers! The list goes on and on and on.
Otteman: Going to the movies, gardening, reading, spending time with my pup, boyfriend, friends and family … and when I have the energy, a little hiking as well! I love to travel and road trip around the USA whenever possible, as well!
Yi: My hobbies include digital art, photography, videography, reading, watching movies and baking. I love a good dessert!
This is what makes me feel accomplished …
Guistina: Some of the things that I enjoy the most are when a student-athlete, a reporter, a coach a parent or fan thanks me for their work. I also always kind of enjoy when an athlete likes a post about them on social media, it hopefully shows that they like what we are putting out there! Anytime a former athlete comes back and gives me a hug or a handshake and a smile, that feeling can’t be beat either.
Muñoz: From a professional standpoint: turning in a box score or game recap that doesn’t prompt a call from a coach for a correction; seeing the new athletic logo I helped create appear in print and on apparel; seeing fans and media reading our prepared game-day materials; playing a role in one of our athletic department’s successful events like Hall of Fame, Homecoming, or Student-Athlete Wards Dinner; overseeing our live stream broadcasts and knowing we’ve helped the families of our student-athletes be able to watch their loved ones compete; seeing my staff members have success, win awards, and accomplish their goals; and helping our student-athletes receive the recognition they deserve.
Otteman: Seeing a project or big event through from start to finish. Anytime something I’ve created comes to fruition and impacts the life of a student-athlete, I feel accomplished. As my position has morphed and developed, this goal has grown to include my co-workers, my team and the people I’m proud to co-lead and co-lead with. Watching everyone grow, evolve and succeed, doing life with them and being able to be a part of their journey is an important part to success as well.
Yi: I feel accomplished when I learn something new and have a new skill.
This or That: Would you rather go on a hike in the woods or for a bike ride in the city?
Guistina: Hike in the woods.
Muñoz: Hike in the woods! Either at my grandparents’ farm in Indiana, or in a National Park (our family is on a quest to see them all). I’d be too nervous riding a bike in city traffic!
Otteman: Hike in the woods, party of 1-5 please.
Yi: Growing up in Northern Virginia, I would go for a bike ride in the city any day! Especially if it is in Washington D.C.
Halloween this or that: Stay home to give out candy or go trick-or-treating?
Guistina: Stay home and give out candy.
Muñoz: May depend on whether my Dodgers are in the World Series again, as game 3 is on Halloween! But, I’ve got to hit the streets with my kids, to see more costumes, get more candy, have more fun and make sure everyone is safe!
Otteman: Stay home and host the Halloween party ... which involves candy and other treats! *winks, finger guns*
Yi: I would stay home and give out candy because that way I can watch scary movies for the spooky season.
Halloween this or that: Win a contest for carving the best jack-o-lantern or win for best costume (and what would that costume be?)
Guistina: Carve the best jack-o-lantern.
Muñoz: Win the costume contest … and since the ‘The Autumn Wind is a Raider,’ probably a pirate costume (silver and black of course).
Otteman: Win for best costume. Hands down, best costume has been a jelly fish that lit up — lots of compliments on the dance floor, haha. This year, planning to be a wacky inflatable tube person.
Yi: Win a contest for carving the best jack-o-lantern…because I can eat the pumpkin seeds afterwards
Halloween this or that: Explore a corn maze or a haunted house?
Guistina: Go into that corn maze.
Muñoz: Depend on the California weather, it might still be hot! But probably a corn maze … the wait times for some of these haunted houses can be even more terrifying than the walk through!
Otteman: Haunted House. Please scare me ... same with scary movies — literally need a nightlight after, but cannot stay away from them!
Yi: Let’s explore a haunted house!