College Sports Information Directors of America

March is Women's History Month

Veteran Annabelle Myers is in her 24th year as the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at North Carolina State. Her primary responsibility is coverage of the Wolfpack football program.

Her Wolfpack athletic communications staff was recognized with the “Super 11” award from the Football Writers of America (FWAA) in 2020 for outstanding service to the media.

Throughout her career, Myers has earned 21 CoSIDA awards for excellence in publications and writing. Prior to her long and current tenure at NC State, Myers was an assistant sports information director at her alma mater Clemson University from 1989-94 where she worked with the football, men’s basketball, and track & field teams.

Myers is married to former Wolfpack basketball player Ernie Myers, who was a member of the 1983 NCAA National Championship team.
 

You’ve spent 24 years at NC State … what has changed and what has remained the same throughout your tenure?
AM: So much has changed throughout our entire industry – not just at NC State – so it’s difficult to separate the two. One of the most glaring changes has probably been in the media that covers the program. When I came to Raleigh in 1998, almost every small town had a beat writer that covered the Wolfpack. Now, many of those outlets have been absorbed by bigger companies.

What has stayed the same is the uniqueness of this area when it comes to college athletics. Where else are there three schools in the same conference, located so close together, covered by the same media outlets? Tobacco Road, with NC State, North Carolina and Duke, remains a very special place.

Before coming to NC State, you worked with a much smaller D-I program at East Tennessee State. You’ve seen opportunities and growth for women sports and for women professionals in college athletics during your tenure, lots due to Title IX. As we celebrate Title IX’s 50th anniversary, what can you tell us about the changes and improvement that you’ve seen for females in college athletics?
AM: When I would travel with the football team at ETSU, I was usually the only woman on the trip. Now, there are many women involved in different roles. When I came to NC State, there were just a few women who were the full-time communications contact for D1 programs. Now there are enough of us that it isn’t even remarkable any more. To me, not being remarkable is remarkable!
 

At the same time, even after 50 years of opportunities, what are some of the challenges still facing women’s sports and college athletic positions for females?
AM: I think the whole world saw some of the discrepancies between the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournament participants last season. It’s sad that after all these years, a big public stink has to be made before something is done.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the male-dominant industry of athletic communications?
AM: Honestly, I have never felt that it has been a challenge. I know that goes against what many have experienced, but I have always felt that doors were just as open for me as they were for my male counterparts – sometimes even more so.

You are married to Ernie Myers, a member of the 1983 NC State men’s basketball national title team, one of America’s most memorable title teams. What kind of cool stories have the two of you shared about it? As someone working closely with several sports including basketball, what’s it like having an athlete in the household provide you with another perspective?
AM: First of all, I met him at a press conference! So for all of the others in this industry whose mothers have said “you’ll never meet somebody if you work all the time,” there is hope!
 
It has been fun to learn more about that special team – especially as they participated in the 30-for-30 “Survive and Advance” story and were inducted into the NC State Athletics Hall of Fame. And honestly, I think Ernie has probably learned more about all that went on behind the scenes during his career now that he sees the work (and the stress!) that is involved in my role.

What is your favorite part of working at NC State?
AM: The people and the family atmosphere! I’ve been blessed to work with so many student-athletes and coaches and those relationships are very special to me. Our current AD, Boo Corrigan, and administration really care about everyone involved in NC State Athletics and don’t just pay lip service to employee well-being. Knowing that you’re in a supportive environment really makes work so much more enjoyable and that, in turn, makes all of us better employees.

Raleigh is also a great place to live and work and raise kids. (Annabelle and Ernie have a son Ernest, 26 and daughter Emerson, 12).
 
 
You graduated from Clemson, an ACC rival of the Wolfpack. Do you find yourself conflicted whenever the two schools face each other on the courts or playing fields?
AM: Not even a little bit. I’ve been with the Pack for 24 years and I witness every day the type of people our coaches and student-athletes are. Go PACK!!!

Your staff was awarded a prestigious “Super 11” award from the Football Writers of America. Talk about how it felt to be recognized by the FWAA?
AM: It was definitely an honor that was appreciated, yet I know that there are so many of my colleagues that do a great job every year. We are all at the mercy of so many different variables – budgets, facilities, the willingness of our coaches/student-athletes to deal with the media, etc. – that it’s impossible to judge us all based on the same criteria.

What was it like serving on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four media coordination committee during your seven years on this NCAA championship team? 
AM: It was a fantastic opportunity that I really enjoyed. It was also a lot of work! I had the privilege to work under former NCAA media relations leaders Jim Marchiony and Bill Hancock and with some other awesome communications professionals. We would be on site for 10 days during my time on that committee and many times wouldn’t leave the hotel for several days as we worked on media lists, seating charts, etc.

I always felt that it was beneficial for NC State as well, because I was able to make connections with media members from other parts of the country that I typically didn’t deal with.
 

Through your tenure, you’ve received recognition from CoSIDA, highlighted by your 21 writing and publications awards, including a “Best in the Nation” football media guide honor. You are a CoSIDA 25-Year Award winner. How important has CoSIDA been in helping you succeed and be recognized throughout your career in this industry?
AM: I probably haven’t taken advantage of CoSIDA as much as I should have in recent years, but as a younger communications professional, it was so important to have the networking opportunities and to connect to others and learn best practices.

If there was one place you could travel to right now, where would it be?
AM: SO many places! I really want to see the Swiss Alps – that might be No. 1 on my list.

What’s your best advice for young female professionals beginning their careers in athletic communications?
AM: Work hard. Be willing to do all of the little things. Everybody wants the courtside roles, but nobody wants to be in the back doing the little things. Be the one who does those things!